Ricciardo hails 'kid' Norris after securing long-overdue 'forever' memory

Daniel Ricciardo has issued Lando Norris a message of acclamation after finally breaking his F1 victory duck.

Norris prevailed in Miami at the weekend, securing his first career win at his 110th event.

Bedfore the long-overdue success, Norris had 15 podiums to his name - including a second-place finish at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, won by his McLaren team-mate at the time, Ricciardo.

The Australian departed the Woking-based team at the end of the 2022 campaign following a difficult two years, during which time he was consistently out-paced by Norris.

Confirming his relationship with Norris has not waned since his exit from McLaren, Ricciardo expressed happiness for the Briton after the race in Miami. 

“I’m genuinely very happy for the kid,” Ricciardo told media including RacingNews365. “As a team-mate, obviously, you get to know them a little bit better. 

“I got to know Lando well and you have a bit of a closer connection. We spent some time away from the track together, he actually came out to my farm in Australia this January. 

“I’ve got to spend some time with him. I like the kid. I think a lot of us felt it was a matter of time until he was able to have a day like this. 

“But nothing’s guaranteed in the sport, so [I'm] happy that he did get to have a day like this, one that will forever be one of the greatest days of his life. 

“[I'm] happy to see that smile on him, not a great day for me but to see him have a day like this, it finishes a day off with something nice and positive.”

'The next in line'

With his Miami win, Norris distanced himself from the record for the most podium finishes without a grand prix win in F1 history.

The 24-year-old had several trips to the top three in 2023 and claimed a duo of podium finishes this season prior to his Miami win.

After being consistently on the podium for several campaigns, Ricciardo acknowledged it was only a matter of time before he reached the top step. 

“As a person, he’s a good person and he’s got a good sense of humour, we get on with him,” Ricciardo said.

“He’s talented, obviously a lot of us here are, but he’s been so close so many times and we all felt at some point that he’s probably the next driver in line who deserves a win.

“No one’s going to hand it to him, but if he got it, then I am sure we all feel like that, that kid has worked hard for it. 

“We know that he belongs on the top step at some point and I'm happy he got his day.”