Miami GP Sprint: Lando Norris Wins Chaotic Race as Hamilton Secures Podium and Verstappen Penalized

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Lando Norris claimed victory in a dramatic, rain-affected Miami Grand Prix Sprint on Saturday, capitalizing on a well-timed Safety Car to edge out McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. The race, delayed by 30 minutes due to sudden rainstorms, was reduced to 16 laps but delivered non-stop action.

Piastri led for most of the race after an early pit stop for slick tyres but was overtaken by Norris when the Briton pitted just after a Safety Car was triggered by Fernando Alonso’s crash with three laps remaining. The timing allowed Norris to rejoin ahead of Piastri, who had been forced to slow down under caution.

The win narrows Piastri’s Sprint championship lead over Norris to nine points heading into Sunday’s Grand Prix, with qualifying set for 9pm Saturday (live on Sky Sports F1).

Lewis Hamilton, who switched to slicks earlier than most, benefited from the changing conditions and strategy to finish third—his second Sprint podium this season for Ferrari. However, his teammate Charles Leclerc did not start the race, crashing on the out-lap when sudden rainfall caused aquaplaning on intermediate tyres.

Max Verstappen endured a disastrous Sprint, finishing 17th and last. He received a 10-second penalty after his Red Bull was released unsafely into the path of Kimi Antonelli during a pit stop, resulting in contact that damaged Verstappen’s front wing and disrupted Antonelli’s own stop. Antonelli, who had started on pole but dropped positions after a wide moment at Turn 1, ultimately finished 10th and out of the points.

Miami GP Sprint – Top 8 Finishers: