Verstappen Praises Norris for Retracting Brazil GP Luck Comment

Verstappen Praises Norris for Retracting Brazil GP Luck Comment
19 December 2024 by    2 min read
 2

Dec.19 - Max Verstappen says he has no hard feelings after 2024 title rival and friend Lando Norris retracted a controversial comment.

After Verstappen's impressive run through the field in treacherous conditions to win the Brazilian GP and all but guarantee his title triumph, Norris suggested it had more to do with "luck" than "talent".

"First of all," said the McLaren driver as he collected his runner-up FIA trophy in Rwanda a few days ago, "I retract that comment back there - where I said it was all luck, no talent."

Verstappen told Viaplay this week that there was no need for Norris to have retracted the comment.

"I know Lando," said the quadruple world champion. "At a moment like that, he is very disappointed and then you immediately have a microphone underneath your mouth and a camera in front of you.

"I know that Lando is simply a good person, and he doesn't mean it at a moment like that. You answer like that because you're frustrated. I don't take that very seriously. It was a mental blow for him.

"He could have taken the championship to his advantage, but it was turned around."

The 27-year-old says he wasn't even bothered when Norris uttered Verstappen's now famous triumphant catch-phrase - 'Simply lovely!' - after winning the Dutch F1 GP.

"You have to take that as a compliment, don't you?" Verstappen insisted. "If you copy someone, you compliment them.

"I wouldn't do that myself, but I think they were very consciously thinking about it - 'We have to beat him in Zandvoort, with the mental pressure'. That kind of thing.

"I don't care about any of that. I'm not sensitive to that. I was just disappointed with the race, because we just came up short. Of course I'd rather win in Zandvoort, but mentally it doesn't matter to me."

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2 F1 Fan comments on “Verstappen Praises Norris for Retracting Brazil GP Luck Comment”

  1. Les

    I think Max is the most mentally strong of all the F1 drivers.
    I thought Piastri had the right attitude about racing just get on and do it , take one race at a time , but that was disappointing making that comment about Max when they came together at the first corner, especially when he later drove into the back of Colapinto. Anybody can make a mistake when you are driving those cars at speed close together.

    • shroppyfly

      I think Max is the most mentally strong of all the F1 drivers.

      A lot of the drivers, Tps, the Fia and f1 media calling him out, then driving like he did in Brazil, amazing mental strength, and thats why in my book hes favourite for next year without question


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