As the drivers began their traditional spraying of Ferrari sparkling wine, Norris performed his trademark tactic of getting the bubbling flowing by smashing the bottom of his bottle down on the ground.
He utilized the highest level of the podium as his foundation, but upon making contact, the force was sufficient to cause Verstappen’s adjacent champion’s trophy to rebound and collide with the ground, resulting in its fragmentation.
Norris promptly recognized his mistake, displaying a startled expression, before continuing his celebration and subsequently informing Verstappen about the unfortunate update.
On Sunday night, McLaren issued an apology to Red Bull and shared a video demonstrating Norris accidentally damaging the trophy.
Norris, in the post-race press conference, expressed amusement as he attributed the mishap of the misplaced trophy to Verstappen.
Norris claimed, “Max positioned it in close proximity to the edge. It subsequently toppled over, I presume. It’s not my responsibility; it belongs to him!”
According to Hungarian F1 journalist Sandor Meszaros, the trophies handed out to the top three were not the work of the moment – and not cheap.
“I am unable to reword.”
The trophy incident was the only blot on another great day for Norris and McLaren as it took its second consecutive podium finish with second place behind Verstappen.
And while Red Bull clearly looks out of touch at the moment, Norris welcomed a runner’s-up spot that he felt was punching above the team’s weight because he reckoned Mercedes was faster in Hungary.
“I believe McLaren and Mercedes are closely matched,” he responded when questioned about McLaren’s position as the second-fastest car in F1. “However, when it comes to tire degradation, Mercedes has always been significantly superior to us.”
Mercedes has consistently excelled in managing tire degradation. When comparing qualifying performances, Lewis in the Mercedes was notably faster. Therefore, I am inclined to disagree and assert that while Mercedes is indeed formidable, the competition is fierce.
“If Lewis had managed to stay in the lead during Turn 2, they would have been victorious today and I most likely wouldn’t have made it to the podium. Then people would be commenting, ‘oh, Mercedes is faster.'”
“I cannot reword”
After the Verstappen trophy was accidentally broken, the Herendi company, responsible for its creation, has pledged to provide a replacement.
Attila Simon, the company’s CEO, told Hungary’s M4 Sport’s channel: “The teams will decide who was to blame, but we will take on the joyful and heavy burden of making it again.”
The cup’s production has already begun, and efforts are being made to shorten the six-month production process so that Verstappen can receive it within the next few weeks.
Additional reporting by Köles István Ákos
The broken trophy of race winner Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, on the podium
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
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