‘I retract that’, Lando Norris takes back controversial Max Verstappen comments made during bitter end to F1 season
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LANDO NORRIS has retracted a controversial comment he made about Max Verstappen after a race this season. The Brit helped McLaren win their first Constructors' Championship since 1998 and also finished second in the Drivers' Championship. He gave Verstappen a good test for most of the season but ultimately came up short, with one Grand Prix proving pivotal.
![[Lando Norris retracted his controversial Max Verstappen comment]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/handout-provided-federation-internationale-de-957263327.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
In Brazil at the beginning of November Norris squandered his pole position to finish sixth, with Verstappen taking the chequered flag despite starting 16th on grid. McLaren's decision not to pit Norris before a red flag cost him the chance of a win, with Verstappen able to change his tyres before claiming the win.
![[Verstappen and Norris clashed on and off the track this year]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/arrives-paddock-fia-formula-1-955775305.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Norris bemoaned Red Bull's luck in a comment he has now retracted. He said after the race in Brazil: "It shouldn't have been red flagged, that was the crash in the end which caused the red so that's life sometimes. You take a gamble and it's paid off for them. It's not talent, it's just luck.
![[Verstappen was in attendance at Friday's FIA awards]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/handout-provided-federation-internationale-de-957247681_72385a.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"I don't care about the hindsight side of things, that's luck for them [Red Bull], nothing more. "They got lucky on a rule [the freedom to change tyres under a red flag] that no one agrees with. Probably them they agreed with it but every driver has disagreed with it in the past.
![[He and Norris appeared on good terms at the bash]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/fia-l-r-lando-norris-957265494_240e19.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"Today it benefitted then, it could have benefitted us if we just stayed out, but that's a stupid thing to think of. Just a bit unlucky today, nothing more. Of course, disappointing.". CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS. Norris, 25, did also admit Verstappen was faster in Sao Paolo but during an appearance at the FIA Awards he made sure to retract his previous statement.
