A chastened Lando Norris apologised for breaking Max Verstappen‘s 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix winners’ trophy and promised to be more careful on the podium in future.
In one of the weirder dramas to come out of F1 this season – and perhaps a mark of how uninspiring 2023 has been on the track – Norris smashed his champagne bottle on the top step of the podium right next to Verstappen‘s trophy which promptly fell over and smashed.
Post-race, Norris cheekily suggested the incident was Verstappen‘s fault but he adopted an out-of-character sombre tone when speaking ahead of the Belgian GP.
“I need to bring it up, first of all, I want to apologise for it. I obviously had no intention to do such a thing,” Norris told the media, ahead of the 2023 Belgian GP.
“But I do feel bad, if he did it to my trophy, I’d be annoyed, so I do apologise for it. So I’ll make sure I’m a lot more careful next time on celebrating, I’d move the trophies aside and then continue.”
Did Norris pay for replacement trophy?
Norris didn’t answer whether he picked up the tab for the trophy though. Designed by Herendi Porcelain Manufactory, who’ve been in business since 1826, the stunning piece is one of the most unique trophies on the F1 calendar and each one apparently takes six months and over £39,000 ($50,000) to make.
It’s the first time Verstappen‘s been in line for the trophy after F1 awarded a more standard Aramco-sponsored prize for the 2022 Hungarian GP, but luckily he was able to see the funny side post-race.
The pair will hope to be sharing the podium again at the Belgian GP, at a circuit which should suit both of their upgraded cars.
“I know how much it means to the Hungarians and part of their culture and obviously the people who put the time and effort and everything into making it, I really didn’t mean for it to happen,” Norris added.
“So yeah of course I want to enjoy my time, it was never my intention to do such a thing and I did apologise to Max, I know I obviously made a couple of jokes about it which maybe I shouldn’t.”
