Lando Norris showcased his growing confidence by playfully mimicking Max Verstappen after winning the Dutch Grand Prix , finishing a significant 23 seconds ahead of the reigning champion.
This moment came as Norris crossed the finish line at Zandvoort, where he cheekily borrowed Verstappen's signature phrase, "simply lovely," during his celebration.
Norris's race engineer praised his performance, to which Norris responded in a lighthearted manner, echoing Verstappen's catchphrase.
“ Uh-huh. Simply lovely, huh?
“Thank you, well done, boys. Incredible job, the car was unbelievable, thank you so much. Let’s keep pushing.”
This playful jab highlights the camaraderie and competition between the two drivers, who have shared a friendly relationship off the track.
Daniel Ricciardo, who has raced alongside both Norris and Verstappen, noted that Norris's confidence has surged with his recent successes.
He told the media ahead of the Italian Grand Prix:
“They both are obviously supremely talented.
“I’ve had the pleasure of being team mates with both of them.
“Lando, I think his confidence is growing the longer he spends time in the sport and the more success he has. Very confident to throw out a ‘simply lovely’ after the race. As much as [Max and Lando] are friends, I know how competitive Max is.
“He would not have taken that very nicely or too well, so we’ll see how he responds this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Verstappen has faced challenges this season, failing to secure a win in the last five races after dominating the previous year with 19 victories out of 22.
As the gap in the Drivers' Standings narrows, with Norris trailing Verstappen by just 70 points, Ricciardo suggested that Verstappen would only use Norris's playful comment as fuel.
The upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza is expected to be a critical moment for both drivers, as Verstappen's competitive nature will likely drive him to respond.
Despite their friendship, recent on-track incidents, including a collision at the Austrian Grand Prix, have added some tension to their rivalry. How Verstappen reacts to Norris's lighthearted jab at Monza will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
In other news, Ricciardo is still awaiting confirmation of his seat for the 2025 season. He anticipates that decisions will be made soon but emphasizes the importance of focusing on his performance in the meantime.
He told Formula1.com :
“I would say some things should get confirmed in the not-so-distant future. I don’t think anyone will have to wait until October/November, I think things will happen sooner than that.
“For me now, I’ve got to focus on what my hands and feet are doing behind the wheel, and that will make my chances as good as anything if I can perform.”
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