For Lando Norris, the first three drivers classified at the finish of the Brazilian Grand Prix owe their podium to the luck factor.
Lando Norris had reason to be confident before the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix, after taking pole position thanks to a strong qualifying session. But from the first moments of the race, things took an unfavorable turn for the McLaren driver.
George Russell snatched first place from the start, and the two British drivers seemed ready to fight a close duel for victory. Unfortunately, the unpredictable weather, the decisions of the race management, and an incident involving Franco Colapinto changed the situation.
Chaos caused by rain and the safety car
Torrential rain fell on the Sao Paulo circuit, forcing some drivers to return to the pits to change tires. While some tried cautious strategies, others took the risky gamble of staying on track hoping for a turnaround. This gamble took on a new dimension when the safety car entered the track, imposing a slower pace and reducing tire temperatures.
The major incident occurred when Franco Colapinto lost control of his car in these difficult conditions, triggering a red flag. This interruption allowed some drivers, such as Esteban Ocon, Max Verstappen, and Pierre Gasly, to change tires without losing time, a strategic opportunity that Norris was unable to exploit.
Norris criticizes race management and talks about luck
After the race, Lando Norris did not hide his frustration with the decisions of the race direction. During an interview with
F1 TVhe said the red flag had greatly favored his competitors.
“You can change the tires under a red flag, and that's what they did. It's just unfortunate for us.” he explained.
For Norris, the podium of Verstappen and the Alpine drivers is not linked to their talent, but to favorable circumstances.
“Staying on the track was not the right strategyhe added. There shouldn't have been a red flag. It’s like that sometimes in racing. We take a risk, it pays off for them, but it's not talent, just luck.”
Personal mistakes and lessons learned
Norris admits, however, that his own performance wasn't perfect: “I made mistakes, I locked the rear wheels, which cost me places. It's my fault.”
Despite everything, he believes that fourth place was the best possible result for him in these conditions, especially against those who were able to benefit from the interruption of the race.
