Norris issues apology for "careless" comments
Lando Norris has issued an apology on social media for "stupid and careless" comments made over the Portuguese Grand Prix weekend about Formula 1 peers Lewis Hamilton and Lance Stroll.
Norris hit out at Stroll following their clash early in Sunday's race at Portimao that left the McLaren driver with damage, ending his hopes of scoring points.
It came following a similar incident between Stroll and Max Verstappen during practice, prompting Norris to say after the race: "He obviously didn't learn from Friday, but he doesn't seem to learn with anything he does.
"It happens a lot, so I just need to make sure I stay away."
Norris had initially apologised on team radio during the cool-down lap about the expletives he used about Stroll in reaction to the incident.
"I apologise for what I said about Lance, I shouldn't have said the words I did, but just in the moment, I was annoyed," he said.
Norris was later asked about fellow countryman Hamilton's record-breaking 92nd F1 race win in the aftermath of Sunday's race, but faced criticism on social media for his comments.
"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."
In a message posted on Twitter on Tuesday, Norris moved to issue a general apology for his comments.
"I owe an apology," Norris wrote. "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."
Norris finished down in 13th at Portimao as a result of the clash with Stroll that left him "just trying to survive".
"I was just on my own for a lot of the race," Norris said, having run as high as third in the opening stages.
"We were struggling a lot with the wind initially, and then I had a puncture which meant I had to box again on the second stop.
"Then the final stint, we were quick, and we had good pace, but we were just way too far behind where we should have been. It's a shame, we could have scored some points today, but it just wasn't to be."
Related video
Previous article
Why do Verstappen's offensive comments get a free pass?
Next article
Gasly feels he is driving better than ever
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Luke Smith |
The defining traits that set F1’s best apart
What makes the very best drivers in Formula 1 stand out among what is already a highly elite bunch? Andrew Benson takes a closer look at those with the special blend of skill, judgment, feel and attitude that sets only a select few apart from the rest.
The updates Williams hopes will lead to a point-scoring return
After producing a car which demonstrated progress but lacked the points to prove it last year, Williams starts its new era of team ownership with the FW43B, its bid to continue the climb up the Formula 1 grid in 2021
How Ferrari plans to recover from its 2020 F1 nightmare
The 2020 Formula 1 season was Ferrari's worst for 40 years as it slumped to sixth in the standings. A repeat performance will not be acceptable for the proud Italian team, which has adopted a notably pragmatic approach to forging its path back to the top
Why Aston Martin’s arrival is more than just new green livery
In the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 team launch of the season, the rebranded Aston Martin squad’s changes go much further than the striking paint job. But rather than a restart, the team hopes to build on top of solid foundations.
The car Aston Martin begins its new F1 journey with
The team formerly known as Racing Point gambled successfully on a Mercedes look-alike in 2020 as it mounted a strong challenge for third in the constructors' race and won the Sakhir GP. Now clothed in British racing green, Aston Martin's first Formula 1 challenger since 1960 provides the clearest indicator yet of what to expect from the new-for-2021 regulations
The tricky driver conundrums facing Mercedes in F1 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success...
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021...
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
