Who is Lando Norris? The story behind the F1 superstar as he wins Miami Grand Prix

AP.
Lando has achieved his maiden victory, winning the Miami Grand Prix. Credit: AP

The F1 grid has been taken over by a number of young drivers in recent years - including Bristol wonder kid Lando Norris.

The 24-year-old McLaren driver broke the record for being the youngest-ever Brit to take part in a Formula One race when he started the Australian GP in September of 2019.

Now, in his 110th Formula One appearance, he has claimed the maiden victory of his career in Sunday's Miami Grand Prix - ending Max Verstappen’s crushing winning streak.

An emotional Norris crossed the line seconds clear of Verstappen, who had no answer to the British driver’s brilliant pace as he claimed McLaren’s first victory in nearly three years.

“Whooooooooooo, whooooooooo, I love you all,” yelled Norris over the radio after becoming Britain’s 21st Grand Prix winner. “Thank you so much. We did it, Will (Joseph, Norris’ race engineer). We did it.

“I guess that is how it is done. Finally. Oh, I am so happy. I knew it when I came in this morning. I said today is the day, full of opportunities. I nailed it, you nailed it, thank you so much.

“Thanks mum, thanks dad, this one is for my grandma, thank you very much.”

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, right, talks with McLaren driver Lando Norris, left. Credit: AP

Who is Lando Norris?

Norris was born in Bristol on 13 November 1999 to an English father, Adam Norris, and Belgian mother, Cisca.

His father Adam is a retired pensions manager and CEO of Horatio Investments. He is ranked at around 600th in the richest people in Britain list.

Lando attended Millfiled School in Somerset but left without taking his GCSEs.

He now lives in Monaco after moving in early 2022.

The start of his racing career

Lando had developed an interest in motorcycle racing as a youngster and he hoped to follow in the footsteps of racing icon Valentino Rossi and compete on two wheels.

His love of karting started when his dad took him and his older brother Oliver to watch an event when he was aged seven.

In his first major national event, Lando claimed pole position. In those early years, he won a number of races and championship titles.

He won the CIK FIA European Championship and International Super Cup as well as the WSK Euro Series.

In 2017 Norris was approached about joining racing supergiant McLaren as a junior driver. He became the team's official reserve driver in 2018 after impressing during mid-season tests.

How much success has Lando Norris has in F1 so far?

Lando celebrating with Max Verstappen. Credit: PA Images

McLaren as a team are not quite in the powerful position they found themselves a decade ago in the world of F1.

Norris joined a team in transition, but his contract showed the confidence he has in them as they aim to get back to the pinnacle of the sport.

The motorsport world is currently dominated by Mercedes and Red Bull Racing with Ferrari in the mix.

During his time at McLaren so far Norris has so often been the nearly-man. In April, Norris became the first driver in F1’s 74-year history to have finished on the podium as many as 14 times without winning.

But now he has finally secured that elusive first win - and many will surely be hoping it is the first of many.