Max Verstappen “had a bit of luck” and won the Brazilian GP in 19 seconds

Lando Norris said Max Verstappen “ran well” on Sunday at Interlagos, but “he was also a bit lucky” with how the race went.

Norris pitted, chasing George Russell for the lead, but a red flag shortly afterwards – when Verstappen failed to pit – left him ahead of the McLaren driver on track when the race restarted.

Lando Norris on how Max Verstappen “had a bit of luck” at the Brazilian Grand Prix

Norris referred to the provision that drivers are free to choose tires when racing resumes after a red flag, stating that “every driver has disagreed with this in the past” and Verstappen benefited from not pitting before the red flag flag on Sunday.

Both Alpine drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, also stayed on track until the red flag stopped – and all three drivers took the podium after crossing the checkered flag, with Verstappen passing Ocon in the first corner after the second safety car restart after the crash for Carlos Sainz.

World Championship leader Verstappen he rose from 17th on the grid to take his first victory since the Spanish Grand Prix 10 rounds ago, extending his lead over Norris to 62 points, 86 of which were available in the last three races.

The McLaren driver has conceded to the rule that drivers are free to choose their tires after a red flag against him and his title rival on Sunday, which has worked out in Red Bull’s favor at the moment.

Results of the chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos

Brazilian GP: Verstappen storms to P17, Norris fades in chaotic thriller

Brazilian Grand Prix 2024 – F1 results and latest post-race standings

“He drove well and was a bit lucky,” Norris said of Verstappen’s exit Sky F1 after the checkered flag at Interlagos.

Having lost the lead at the line to George Russell, he admitted that starting in the wet was “a bit risky” and added: “All our position losses were just under the red flag and the rest had a free pit stop. So (it was) unfortunate, nothing more.

“You know, George probably felt like he won the race today. I mean, he probably deserved to win the race today more than anyone else, but sometimes bad luck happens and the rules are against you.

“I made some mistakes. It cost me a fight with George and Charles (Leclerc), but yes, nothing more. I think it was a hard day. I gave my all, I had a lot of good races, it was time for something to go wrong.

“(Pitting) was the right decision, we were just unlucky so I don’t worry about it in hindsight. It’s happiness for them (Red Bull), nothing more.

“You know, they were just lucky. A rule that no one agrees with, probably they today, will agree with it, but in the past every driver disagreed with it, and today it worked out to their advantage.

“We could have benefited from it if we had just stayed out, but that’s a stupid thing to think about – we just had a bit of bad luck today and nothing else. Obviously a disappointing result, it could have been better, but we will keep pushing.

Read further: Nico Hulkenberg disqualified from the Brazilian Grand Prix for a black flag violation