In a weekend that began with heartbreak, McLaren turned grief into glory at the Miami Grand Prix, dedicating their Sprint victory to the late Alex Zanardi. The legendary Italian driver, a two-time CART champion and Paralympic gold medalist, passed away at 59 on May 1, just hours before Formula 1 arrived at the Miami International Autodrome.

As news of Zanardi's death spread through the paddock, the emotions were raw. Formula 1 honored him with a minute's silence on the grid before the Sprint race, a moment that united drivers, teams, and fans in celebration of a life defined by resilience and passion. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown remembered Zanardi as "an amazing driver, a fierce competitor, and a personal inspiration," while team principal Andrea Stella echoed those sentiments with his own heartfelt tribute.

On the track, Lando Norris delivered a masterclass performance, cruising to victory in the Sprint race and showcasing McLaren's impressive step forward in performance. The British driver controlled the field with ease, crossing the line ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, meanwhile, endured a difficult start and finished sixth after a five-second penalty for track limits.

But when Andrea Stella spoke to Sky Sports F1 after the race, he made sure the conversation didn't begin with a recap of the action. "Yeah, I want to, before we talk about [the race], allow me to remember and pay tribute to Alex Zanardi," he said. "A very special man, a driver, athlete, a real symbol, an example of what it means to love life. Love life and inspiration for everyone, so this victory is for him."

Only then did Stella turn to the team's performance, noting that the upgrades had confirmed their promise not just over a single lap in qualifying, but across the demanding race distance in the Florida heat—conditions nobody had yet tested the new package in. "It's good to start races. It's good to start sprints. It's good to bring upgrades so that we can become more and more competitive," he said. "It was important to confirm that the upgrades work like we have seen yesterday over a single lap. Today it was important to see them in long runs and even hot conditions, so nobody knew exactly what the degradation would have been, but it looks like the car has retained the good pace."

For McLaren, this victory was more than just a sprint win—it was a tribute to a man who inspired millions with his unbreakable spirit. And as the team continues to climb the grid, they carry Zanardi's legacy with them, one lap at a time.