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.
