Norris brutally honest after 'tough' race in Hungary: 'threw points away'

F1 News

Lando Norris reaction after giving away race victory in Hungary
21 July at 16:57
Last update 21 July at 17:07

Lando Norris was visibly disappointed after losing first place at the Hungarian Grand Prix to Oscar Piastri. The polesitter was told that he had to let his teammate by. After some convincing, Norris eventually let Piastri through. Norris, who has now finished in second place twelve times, reacted to the controversial moment after the race.

"I think it's tough. I think it would be tough for anyone when you're leading the race to give it up. I was obviously put in the position, so they made me box first and gave me the chance to lead the race and to pull away quite comfortably and to do what I was doing," Norris began. "They also gave me the opportunity to do so. Therefore, I think it was fair just to give the position back. I don't want to come across like a guy who's not fair. Oscar's done a lot for me in the past. He helped me in many races." Norris told Sky Sports.

Norris: 'It was the right thing to do'

"He drove a better race than I did. He got a good start. He got a better start. And mine sucked. He deserved it and it was the right thing to do. So it hurts. Anytime you're going to give away a win and give it to someone, I know I shouldn't have it in the first place, which is, I think, the main point when you're leading the race and you have to give it back. It hurts, especially because from a driver's championship, you know, every point will help." 

Norris: 'I threw points away today'

The McLaren driver is still thinking about winning the world championship. "I know I'm a hell of a long way behind Max in the championship. I get that. No one needs to tell me that. It's seven points that I threw away today or gave away today. And not because I was switching position, just because of a bad start again and that's where I lost my race today so that's a tough one but I don't want to let it take away the fact that we're one-two as a team, that's an incredible achievement from everyone. Our first one since Monza but I think like our first one on pure merit.

"Everyone's extremely happy with that, so very proud, happy with the journey we're on, happy with the progress we're making and more of the same next time." Norris concluded.