Norris ‘insanely unlucky’ as win slips away at F1’s Spanish GP in Madrid

Madrid (AP) — Lando Norris' triumph at the Spanish Grand Prix seemed secure until the unexpected deployment of the virtual safety car altered the race's outcome. Despite starting from pole position and leading the race, Norris was unable to maintain his position after the safety car came out for an incident involving Lance Stroll's Aston Martin.

The virtual safety car eliminated his chance to pit and regain the lead, leaving him in fifth place and unable to secure the victory. Norris candidly acknowledged that there was nothing he could do to prevent the loss, stating, "It’s not like we did anything that made us lose it. We were just insanely unlucky today." His teammate, Max Verstappen, expressed empathy for Norris, noting that both drivers have experienced both winning and losing races due to similar circumstances.

However, Verstappen and Norris agreed that the timing of the virtual safety car was unfortunate, though they acknowledged that luck often balances out in the long run. McLaren defended their decision to allow Norris to pit after the virtual safety car ended, arguing that there was no alternative to maintaining their lead. Charles Leclerc, who stayed out and took the lead after the safety car deployment, finished fourth after being forced to make an early pit stop.