After the São Paulo Grand Prix, Lando Norris expressed frustration, suggesting that Max Verstappen “got lucky,” which seemed to reflect his disappointment as his title hopes slipped further away. However, he later extended congratulations to Verstappen on social media, softening the impact of his earlier comment. Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde weighed in on Norris’s remarks, calling his initial statement “out of place.” Van der Garde’s perspective likely comes from the view that Verstappen’s success in F1 is attributed to both skill and consistency, making Norris’s focus on luck seem unfair.
Van der Garde’s reaction underscores the scrutiny on drivers, especially when emotions run high after tough races. While Norris’s honesty is appreciated by fans, his comments were seen by some, including van der Garde, as undermining the performance that has kept Verstappen dominant this season.
Van der Garde on Norris’ comments: ‘Not fair, their choice’
In the DRS Podcast, former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde provided insights into the strategy choices that shaped the outcome of the São Paulo Grand Prix, particularly focusing on the contrasting approaches by Red Bull and McLaren. Van der Garde noted that while both Mercedes and McLaren opted to pit when the rain intensified, he felt it was a questionable decision given the likelihood of a red flag being deployed in heavy rain. He pointed out that under current regulations, a red flag is almost certain when rain becomes intense, which could halt the race and lock positions. In this case, if Norris had stayed out, he may have held second place, while Verstappen could have dropped to fourth or fifth.
Van der Garde also emphasized the advantage of Red Bull’s choice to keep Verstappen on track. He explained that with more rubber on the tires and a higher profile, a car can maintain more grip and resist aquaplaning under heavy rain conditions, making pitting less urgent. Red Bull’s strategy proved effective, as Verstappen ultimately benefited from staying out. Reflecting on Verstappen’s own comments, van der Garde noted Verstappen’s confidence in his tire condition, which allowed him to question the necessity of a pit stop. In the end, Red Bull’s approach worked out brilliantly, with Verstappen securing a favorable finish in challenging conditions.
