Lando Norris apologises for ‘stupid and careless’ comments after Portuguese GP
Lando Norris has taken to social media to express his remorse at an outburst targeted at Lance Stroll after the pair came together during the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao.
The pair made contact after Stroll attempted an outside-line overtake of Norris on lap 18 with Norris forced to pit to fix damage on his McLaren, while the Canadian was handed a five-second time penalty as punishment for causing an avoidable collision.
The incident - which contributed to the British driver’s final 13th place finish and a third non-point scoring race in a row - prompted the normally placid Norris to hit out at Stroll on the team radio in an expletive filled tirade before saying post-race:
“I don't know what he was doing really… [sic] “He obviously didn't learn from Friday, but he doesn't seem to learn with anything he does.”
‘Hamilton record doesn’t mean anything to me’
With Norris mentioning no names in his apology, it could also reference words he expressed when asked about Lewis Hamilton’s new record for F1 wins, which drew criticism from fans.
Saying he only has to beat ‘one or two other drivers’ in order to clinch his new record, Norris admits he isn’t moved by his countryman’s achievement.
"I'm happy for him, nothing more," Norris said. "It doesn't mean anything to me really. He's in a car which should win every race basically. He has to beat one or two other drivers, that's it.
"Fair play to him, he's still doing the job he has to do, but yeah, just another win for him."
As such, Norris has taken to Twitter to say sorry once more.
“I owe an apology. I’ve been stupid and careless with some things I’ve said lately in media and interviews, and haven’t shown the respect I should have to certain people.
“I’m not that kind of person, so know I should apologise to them but also everyone reading/listening. Sorry.
I owe an apology. I’ve been stupid and careless with some things I’ve said lately in media and interviews, and haven’t shown the respect I should have to certain people. I’m not that kind of person, so know I should apologise to them but also everyone reading/listening. Sorry
— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) October 27, 2020
With five rounds of the 2020 F1 season to come, Norris sits seventh in the overall standings and is in a tight midfield fight for fourth overall with only 23 points covering Daniel Ricciardo in that position and Stroll in 11th.
