‘Got lucky’: Norris slams F1 rule, Max twists knife with savage press conference dig

Lando Norris says Max Verstappen “got lucky” by winning the the Brazilian Grand Prix, as his rival got the last laugh in a savage press conference.

Lando Norris believes Max Verstappen “got a bit lucky” with the timing of the red flag during the Red Bull star’s Brazilian Grand Prix victory, taking aim a rule “no one agrees with”.

Norris was superb in qualifying but once again squandered pole position on the opening lap when he was passed by George Russell.

It was the ninth time Norris had started on pole but relinquished the lead in the first lap.

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Verstappen made up seven places on the first lap and by lap 19, he was up in sixth and Norris was second.

Several crashes midway through the race triggered safety cars and eventually a red flag in the rain affected race.

That red flag period advantaged Verstappen and the two Alpine drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.

All three had yet to pit for new tyres and they got a free pit stop during the red flag period that didn’t cost them any time.

It was a tough day for Lando Norris in Brazil. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

The race eventually resumed under a safety car and Norris faltered, going wide and dropping to seventh on the restart. He couldn’t recover from there and finished sixth.

Verstappen quickly overtook Ocon on lap 43 and from then on, no one else had a chance.

The 27-year-old put on an absolute clinic in the wet conditions to win the race and dominate the field after starting from 17th.

Verstappen crossed the line a whopping 19 seconds clear of Ocon and Gasly — the Alpine duo finished on the podium in a surprise result after staying out during the final red flag.

Norris cut a dejected figure after the race and criticised the rule allowing cars to gain a “free” pit stop under a red flag.

“All of our position losses were just under the red flag with the free pit stop for the others,” he said. “So, (it was) unfortunate, nothing more.

“You know, George has probably felt like he won the race today. I mean, he probably deserved to win the race today more than anyone else, but sometimes it’s just unlucky and the rules go against you.

“I made a couple of mistakes. It cost me against George and it cost me against Charles (Leclerc), but yeah, nothing more. I think it was a tough day. I did my best, I’ve had a lot of good races, it was about time that something didn’t go right.

“(Pitting) was the right thing to do, we were just unlucky, so I don’t care about the hindsight of things. That’s luck for them (Red Bull), nothing more.

Lando Norris isn't a fan of pitting under red flag. Photo: Kayo Sports.

The race couldn’t have gone better for Verstappen. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)

Norris said Verstappen and the Alpine drivers “got lucky” by getting a free pit stop under the red flag.

“That’s luck for them,” he said. “They got lucky. (It’s a) rule that no one agrees with. “Probably them today, they’re going to agree with it, but every driver has disagreed with it in the past, and today it benefited them.

“Just a bit unlucky today, nothing more. Of course disappointed with the result. We’ll keep pushing.

“He (Verstappen) drove well, he got a bit lucky.

“It shouldn’t have been red-flagged. You take a gamble and it’s paid off for them. It’s not talent, it’s just luck,”

Gasly said post race: “Two (Alpine) cars on the podium? I don’t think anyone had that on their bingo card.”

After extending his championship lead to 62 points with three races remaining this season, Verstappen was in fine form in the official post-race press conference.

“I have a quick question. I appreciate all of you being here, but I don't see any British press,” the Dutchman joked, referencing his battle with Norris.

“They had to run to the airport? Or they didn’t know where the press conference is?”

Other members of the media could be heard giggling in the background.

Verstappen’s two tight championship battles have been with British drivers in Norris and Lewis Hamilton in 2021.

He was unimpressed with the two 10-second penalties he received at the Mexican Grand Prix for skirmishes with Norris, and has spoken about the difficulties that come with racing a British driver.

Race steward Johnny Herbert said there was no “bias” whatsoever in the decision to penalise Verstappen in Mexico.

Verstappen has all but wrapped up his fourth F1 title. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol / AFP)

Recently departed Red Bull car designer Adrian Newey has described Sky Sports’ F1 coverage as “nationalistic” in favour of British drivers including Norris, Hamilton and George Russell.

“I think from the outside I’m not sure people fully appreciate and understand Max, just like they didn’t with Sebastian (Vettel),” said Newey on the High Performance Podcast last month.

“First of all, there’s this sort of demonisation both of them suffered at times, which I think is very unfair, and maybe that’s also a little bit of the British media, if I’m honest.

“Sky has a huge influence around the world, their viewing is truly international, but their coverage is quite nationalistic dare I say, and that can have an influence.

“It’s this thing that now with journalism typically, there is that trend to sort of either put people on a pedestal or knock them down.”

In response to Newey’s comments, Verstappen said at the time: “I basically agree 100 per cent, yes.”

Originally published as ‘Got lucky’: Norris slams F1 rule, Max twists knife with savage press conference dig