Lando Norris survived the pressure to slam home his first-ever Monaco Grand Prix win on Sunday. He started and never gave up the lead.
With this result, he has closed the title gap to just three points behind teammate Oscar Piastri. Norris is now right in the championship title box.
It wasn’t just another Sunday drive. Monaco’s tight corners and overtaking drought meant Norris had to play smart—controlling the tempo with no space to spare.
New rules came into play. All drivers had to make two pit stops—this is to add some spice to what’s often a parking lot parade.
Still, the strategy still worked for the game. Pit stops turned into power plays. Norris held off early pressure, managed tyre wear, and kept calm even after locking up at Turn 1.
Charles Leclerc chased hard in second. Piastri played clean-up in third. Verstappen gambled with a late stop and dropped to fourth. His trick didn’t beat the clock this time.
Norris now sits on 158 points. Piastri’s still ahead with 161, but that lead is thin. Verstappen’s on 136, looking for a comeback in the second half of the season.
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McLaren’s garage must be buzzing. Their two drivers are on top now. And in the team standings, they’re flying. They lead Mercedes by 172 points, with Red Bull and Ferrari scrapping behind.
While the two-stop rule added some tactics, it didn’t open up the pitch. Drivers tried to slow rivals to help teammates. It was more chess than chaos.
Mercedes and Williams played the team game too, using pace control to frustrate faster cars. But Norris never got rattled.
For Piastri, the third-place finish was solid, but it puts him under pressure. His teammate’s now breathing down his neck. Expect fireworks in the McLaren camp as the season goes on.
Verstappen, meanwhile, needs a turnaround. He’s now one full win behind. That’s a lot when the midfield’s getting tighter and the leaders aren’t blinking.
In the constructors’ title race, McLaren’s dominance is clear. With 319 points, they’ve built a fortress. Mercedes are next on 147, then Red Bull at 143, and Ferrari trailing at 142.
The battle for third? That’s where the midfield turns into mayhem. Every point counts, and every pit stop matters.
Back to Norris—this win wasn’t lucky. He earned it on the toughest track. Monaco doesn’t forgive mistakes. He made none that mattered.
As we gear up for the next round, the title fight is on. McLaren has two top guns. Only one gets the trophy. Game on!
