Lando Norris’ bizarre social media activity after Sao Paulo Grand Prix as he likes ‘shameful’ comment

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Lando Norris has received a backlash following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after implying that Max Verstappen’s victory was lucky. Norris has almost certainly lost out in the F1 title battle after a highly dramatic race.

The McLaren driver had started on pole position, with the championship leader down in 17th. A late red flag saw Verstappen exit in Q2, and he then received a five-place grid penalty for an engine component change.

Norris lost the lead to Mercedes driver George Russell heading into the first corner – the latest in a series of poor starts from pole – but spent the first half of the race putting him under pressure. Meanwhile, Verstappen scythed through the field.

The Dutchman had climbed to 10th by lap two and sixth by lap 11. When Norris and Russell came into the pits, he was promoted to second behind Esteban Ocon.

Soon after, a heavy crash for Franco Colapinto under safety car conditions brought out the red flag. This gave Ocon and Verstappen a free tyre change.

The Red Bull driver would sail into the lead later in the race, while Norris finished down in sixth. He’d made a couple of costly errors after the unfortunate red-flag timing.

Lando Norris deletes Max Verstappen post and ‘likes’ brutal comment after Brazilian Grand Prix

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Norris put Verstappen’s win down to ‘luck, nothing more’. Predictably, many fans were seething after these remarks.

Verstappen’s drive is already being heralded as one of the best in F1 history. 17th was the joint-fourth lowest starting position for a race winner.

Commenting under Norris’ latest Instagram post – a selfie with Mexico City GP winner Carlos Sainz – one fan called him a ‘shameful amateur’ who had been ‘humiliated’. Bizarrely, the British driver liked the comment.

He’d also posted a story congratulating Verstappen on what he called an ‘impressive victory’, only to then delete it. His motivation for doing so is unclear.

Helmut Marko’s latest dig at Lando Norris as Max Verstappen nears F1 title

Norris was 44 points behind Verstappen after winning Saturday’s Sprint race – with the help of McLaren’s team orders to Oscar Piastri – but the gap has now ballooned to 62. It means the reigning champion can retain his title simply by finishing ahead in Las Vegas.

Norris must outscore him by at least three points to take the title fight to Qatar. But even he must recognise that it’s a foregone conclusion at this point.

Speaking just before he left the circuit, Helmut Marko said Norris was far from faultless, unlike Verstappen. He also declared that the championship fight was at an end.

Peter Windsor was surprised that Norris pitted early, against the initial advice of the McLaren pit wall. He accused the team of ‘just trying to please him’ by granting his request.