Norris used Verstappen’s “simply lovely” in tribute, not taunt, after his recent win at Zandvoort.
Last week, following his victory, Lando Norris echoed Max Verstappen’s celebratory phrase, “simply lovely,” but he stressed that it was not an attempt to mock his rival; rather, it felt like a straightforward choice.
“He has won many races and said many things,” Norris stated. “I’m not prepared for that, I don’t prepare for that, so it seemed like the easiest solution. It doesn’t mean anything to me from that perspective.”
“I’m not trying to make a statement. I just want to win and go home. I’m not concerned with trying to make statements or any of that. It just came to mind, and I felt I had to say it.”
“It’s fun. I can’t think about these things. I’m not trying to mock or anything else, like many people want to do and make headlines, and all that nonsense. It was more a fun thing to do and, obviously, I have a lot of respect for Max. So I borrowed one of his many victories.”
“The main thing is that I remain true to myself.”
Initially, Norris was known for his jovial image in Formula 1, which he has toned down to avoid appearing unfocused: “Yes, it’s clear, and I feel it within myself, that I have changed a lot since I came into Formula 1.”
“I don’t know if people mean that in a good or bad way or anything else. I think ultimately the main thing is that I stay true to myself. I’m happy to disappoint people and to give my own opinion, whether it’s good or bad sometimes.”
“I became almost too concerned, I think, when I first came into Formula 1, and it’s not a bad thing, but I was more worried about other people’s opinions and thoughts than doing my own thing, continuing to be myself.”
“Not that I ever wanted to be someone different or do something different, but I feel that over time, with the pressure and focus on the job I need to do, I’ve found a better balance in life and probably enjoy my time off the track more today.”
“Probably in a different way from what I used to do, but the best approach now is just a better balance of life, focusing on what I want to achieve, namely winning and doing the best possible job for my team.”
“I was different” in the early years in F1
Norris then described his life balance: “And the balance between being at home and the ability to disconnect and enjoy my personal life and the days at home where I can relax and do something else. And I know that will change.”
“And I feel that when I see photos and videos of who I was and what I did, even in 2019, 2020, 2021, I look at myself and see things and think that I was different then from what I am today.”
“But ultimately, my goal and the work I need to accomplish have remained the same. Whether I laugh more or less, whether I joke more or less, that’s how I’ve changed over the years. But I still love what I do, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
“And I still enjoy my time, but I think it’s in a different way now. I share it more with my team. And I’ve just learned to see Formula 1 and my job as a priority and to learn how to detach more easily when I go home.”
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At Zandvoort – Norris’s Phrase: A Nod to Verstappen, Not Mockery At Zandvoort – Norris’s Phrase: A Nod to Verstappen, Not Mockery
