Alonso heaps praise on Norris: 'He really deserves this'

Lando Norris had been on the podium in Formula 1 many times, but he never won. Max Verstappen managed to trounce him for victory multiple times. And on the rare occasions when Verstappen did not keep him from winning, it was another driver who suddenly excelled. The McLaren driver could have been despondent.

In Miami, the reward for years of hard work followed after all, and it was celebrated: at the circuit and a few days later also at McLaren's factory in Woking. Ahead of the next Grand Prix in Imola, where Norris is aiming for his second win, Fernando Alonso says he is happy for Norris to finally be rid of that hateful zero.

Alonso full of praise for Norris

"He's a nice kid, he's a nice man, and a very talented driver. I know him very well," Alonso says. "We did Daytona 24 hours in 2018. Together we were in McLaren and he started as a test driver when I was there. We both live in Monaco, we see each other sometimes there in the city, travel together sometimes as well. After so many podiums, I think he deserves this win. As I said, hopefully he enjoys this because sometimes you forget quickly because you are so focused on the next event. I'm very happy for him and for McLaren as well."

This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi.