Lando Norris has retracted his previously dismissive comments about Max Verstappen’s heroic drive at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix — a race that remains one of the most chaotic in recent Formula 1 memory. That event, marred by two safety cars and a red flag, saw Verstappen transform a dismal 17th-place start into a masterclass victory, aided by strategic brilliance and a dash of luck that left rivals fuming.
Back then, Verstappen’s decision to remain on track while others pitted proved pivotal. As George Russell and Norris dropped down the order following their stops, a timely red flag allowed Verstappen, along with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, to change tyres without consequence. Red Bull’s gamble paid off spectacularly — Verstappen seized the lead, controlled the restart, and stormed to the finish ahead of both Alpines, silencing critics who had doubted the team’s judgment amid the chaos.
In the aftermath, however, Norris dismissed Verstappen’s win as mere fortune rather than skill. The young McLaren driver, frustrated after falling from contention himself, told reporters that the Dutchman had simply “got lucky on a rule that no one agrees with,” referring to the controversial regulation allowing tyre changes under red flags. His remarks stirred debate across the paddock, with many interpreting them as a jab at Verstappen’s ability rather than the FIA’s rulebook.
But one year later, with Norris leading the 2025 championship by a single point heading back to Interlagos, he publicly walked back his criticism. Speaking at the FIA awards gala, the Briton offered a rare retraction, acknowledging that Verstappen’s performance was indeed a demonstration of skill as much as circumstance. “First of all, I retract that comment,” Norris admitted. “What Max did — in Brazil, and all season — was phenomenal. I’m the first to acknowledge that when I’m the one competing against him.”
His statement marked a notable display of maturity and sportsmanship — a recognition that Formula 1’s greatest moments often balance luck and genius in equal measure. With Norris now in Verstappen’s former position as title leader under immense pressure, the episode underscores how quickly fortunes can turn in the sport’s relentless theatre of rivalry and redemption.
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