Lando Norris was struck by fireworks on the podium after winning the Sao Paulo Grand Prix but emerged unscathed, according to McLaren team boss Andrea Stella. The incident came after Norris’s attempt at his signature champagne celebration went awry when he jumped off the top step of the podium, smashed the bottle, and accidentally hit his head on the fireworks display.
Despite holding his head briefly after the accident, Norris showed no ill effects in his post-race interviews. Stella confirmed that Norris was fine, dismissing concerns about the incident. On the podium, Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar drenched Norris with champagne, adding to the chaotic scene.
Norris described the race as “one of the hardest of the year in terms of focus needed every lap and therefore one of the best.” The Sao Paulo Grand Prix tested drivers with its tricky wet conditions that slowly dried before rain returned near the end. Norris delivered a near-flawless performance throughout.
The new world champion Kimi Antonelli initially controlled the race, pulling out an eight-second lead in the first 13 laps. Norris started slowly from pole compared to Antonelli and was initially chasing. But as the track dried, Norris pitted for slick tyres one lap before Antonelli, reducing a seven-second gap to nothing. When Antonelli spun under pressure at Turn One, Norris inherited the lead and never relinquished it.
Norris praised the team’s execution, pit stops, and timing. “We boxed one lap early on to the slicks. I came out and was right behind him and forced him to push a little bit more, and obviously he went into a mistake and I could capitalise on it,” he said. He added that maintaining focus and avoiding mistakes on such a challenging day was key to the victory. “So, great performance from the whole team. Certainly up there with one of the best I've ever had.”
For McLaren and Norris, the win was a return to form after a slow start to the season. The team’s development had lagged early on as they focused on securing last year’s title double. Although they improved mid-season, recent races saw them fall behind again, especially in qualifying. New parts and the Sao Paulo circuit’s characteristics helped Norris excel in wet conditions, both in qualifying and the race itself.
Andrea Stella praised Norris’s ability in mixed conditions and his technical understanding of the car and track. “When Lando operates at his best, he's definitely one of the best drivers on the grid,” Stella said. He noted Norris’s sensitivity in managing grip and balance and called adaptability “probably the most important feature that you may want to possess as a driver.” Stella described Norris as a “master” in reading conditions and adjusting accordingly.
Max Verstappen made a remarkable recovery from 21st on the grid to finish second. The four-time world champion started with a penalty that dropped him four places due to exceeding engine allowances this year. Despite this, Verstappen climbed through the field in challenging conditions.
At one point, Verstappen was less than 15 seconds behind Antonelli and appeared a genuine threat to Norris’s lead. However, Verstappen's car was reportedly “not in good shape,” which affected his ability to challenge for the win.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix unfolded as a demanding test of skill and strategy, with Norris’s composure and timing proving decisive. The wet-to-dry track conditions and late rain added complexity that few managed better than the McLaren driver.
According to Yahoo Sports.