Ricciardo warns Norris over ‘simply lovely’ victory comment

Lando Norris’s cheeky “simply lovely” comment over team radio after securing victory in last week’s Dutch Grand Prix won’t have endeared him to rival Max Verstappen, according to RB’s Daniel Ricciardo.

Race fans have become used to hearing Verstappen use the phrase “simply lovely” after taking his own poles and victories – having recorded 40 of the former and 61 of the latter to date.

But it was Norris who uttered the phrase after securing his second career win at Verstappen's home race in Zandvoort with a dominant display, finishing over 20 seconds up the road from the Red Bull driver.

“Uh huh. Simply lovely, huh? Well done,” said Norris over team radio.

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But speaking ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Ricciardo – a former team mate to both drivers at Red Bull and McLaren – said Norris had been “very confident” in using Verstappen’s own catchphrase to celebrate his victory

“They both are obviously supremely talented,” said Ricciardo of Verstappen and Norris, with Verstappen currently heading the Briton by 70 points in the drivers’ standings. “I’ve had the pleasure of being team mates with both of them.

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“Lando, I think his confidence is growing the longer he spends time in the sport and the more success he has. Very confident to throw out a ‘simply lovely’ after the race. As much as [Max and Lando] are friends, I know how competitive Max is.

“He would not have taken that very nicely or too well, so we’ll see how he responds this weekend.”

Ricciardo has first-hand experience of Verstappen’s scorn, with the Australian’s exuberant celebrations at beating his then-Red Bull team mate to the 2018 Mexican Grand Prix pole position having infamously riled up Verstappen – who crashed into the ‘P2’ board on the grid, before ensuring he took victory in the race the following day.

Norris and Verstappen have already clashed once this year, when they made contact while duelling for the lead of the Austrian Grand Prix – with both drivers suffering punctures, as Norris was forced to retire.

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Meanwhile, Ricciardo – who took victory for McLaren over Norris at Monza back in 2021 – was also asked about his future on Thursday, with only Yuki Tsunoda currently signed up to drive for RB in 2025.

“Let’s say nothing to share,” said Ricciardo. “Obviously my intention is to keep competing in the sport, but time will tell. There is nothing fixed for next year.

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“I would say some things should get confirmed in the not-so-distant future. I don’t think anyone will have to wait until October/November, I think things will happen sooner than that.

“For me now, I’ve got to focus on what my hands and feet are doing behind the wheel, and that will make my chances as good as anything if I can perform.”

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