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In addition to a bit of luck and timing, Norris’ victory was based on genuine pace – he was the quickest car on track once he was released from behind the struggling Red Bull of Sergio Perez when the Mexican made an early pit stop for tyres on lap 17.

From then until the safety car for a collision between Williams’ Logan Sargeant and Haas driver Kevin Magnussen at Turn Three, Norris turned on the pace and set the foundations for his win.

The fact that this was not the usual cruise to victory for Verstappen was obvious when he missed the chicane on lap 21 and displaced a bollard.

The virtual safety car had to be deployed for half a lap to clear the debris from the track. Verstappen pitted two laps later, and rejoined 10 seconds behind Norris.

But despite having fresher tyres, Verstappen did not close on Norris – in fact the McLaren started to pull away.

And when the safety car was deployed Norris had a sufficient advantage to pit and come out still in the lead.

There was bit of confusion when the safety car picked up Verstappen rather than Norris and the field had to be let past to run around and catch up behind Norris, but now it came down to a straight fight between the McLaren and the Red Bull.

Usually, Verstappen would have been expected to pass Norris, and the Briton made it difficult for himself with a nervy restart which gave Verstappen the chance to think about a pass at Turn One. (BBC)

Fans came out in their numbers to view the highly anticipated clash

In the earlier match on Saturday night, Santos FC clinched a captivating 3-2 triumph against Western Tigers FC to jump one spot to fourth place on the points table.

Santos’ Randy Roberts struck early, finding the net in the 6th minute, only for Randolph Wagner to swiftly respond for Western Tigers in the 23rd minute, leaving the first half knotted at 1-1.

The second half saw Roberts regain the lead for Santos in the 51st minute, but Wagner once again levelled the score for Western Tigers in the 74th minute. With both sides relentlessly pressing, the game ended in a 2-2 draw at full-time.

However, Santos’ Stefan Reynolds netted a dramatic winner in the 90+4th minute, securing victory for Santos in the dying moments.

The defeat relegates Western Tigers to fifth place at the close of Round One, while Santos eyes an opportunity to break into the top three in Round Two which starts in June.

Santos’ record stands at fifteen points from nine matches, comprising five wins and four losses. Meanwhile, Western Tigers, with eight games under their belt, holds twelve points from four victories and an equal number of defeats.

In the league standings, Den Amstel FC holds sixth place, followed by Fruta Conquerors FC in seventh.

Ann’s Grove United FC in eighth with Monedderlust FC trailing in ninth place. Buxton United FC finds themselves firmly rooted at the bottom of the table.

GFF President Wayne Forde thanked the sponsors, clubs, match officials, fans and the GFF organising team for their support throughout Round One of the KFC Elite League Season Six.

“I want to thank our sponsors KFC, Namilco, Guyana Beverages Inc under the Turbo and Oasis Water brands, Courts Guyana under the Radio Shack and AKT Motor brands, as well as the ten clubs, their supporting teams, the dedicated GFF staff, the match officials, and the passionate fans who travelled to the NTC to support their teams, to watch our top senior men’s players compete at their best.”

“We have seen exceptional football this round which embodies the spirit of the Elite League which is a national stage for Guyana’s premier senior clubs to compete. I was impressed with the level of skill demonstrated and look forward to Round Two in June,” the GFF top official added. Elite clubs now have a brief window to meticulously strategise for Round Two.

The quest for the coveted first-place prize of $2,000,000 sees teams back in intense competition on May 25.

Clubs securing second, third, and fourth positions will also receive handsome cash rewards of G$1,200,000, G$800,000, and G$500,000, respectively. (GFF)