Lando Norris smashed up Max Verstappen's F1 trophy moments after race finished

23 December 2023 , 08:30

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The trophy could be seen toppling over before smashing (Image: Sky Sports)

Max Verstappen spent the majority of the 2023 Formula 1 season holding one trophy or another.

The Dutchman cruised to another drivers’ title, winning 19 of the 23 races and finishing almost 300 points ahead of team-mate and runner-up Sergio Perez. But one trophy which may not have pride of place on the Red Bull mantelpiece is the original he earned from July’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Verstappen was expected to be run close by Lewis Hamilton, who secured pole position in qualifying. However, the Brit suffered a horrible start off the line and paid the price for that. He was passed not only by Verstappen but also by the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, ending his hopes of what would have been a fairytale victory.

And after Verstappen crossed the line in front - his seventh straight victory - he was handed a ceramic trophy, as has been the case for this event in recent years, for his victory.

He was on the top step of the podium with Norris to his right in second place and Perez third. After the national anthems, they were handed their champagne and began the traditional spraying of one another. But that was when things got out of hand.

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Norris has a habit of hitting his bottle off the podium to open it before he begins to spray. And he did that again this time - except the impact sent Verstappen's trophy toppling off the top step.

Footage showed the trophy break into several pieces. But the celebrations carried on regardless, with Norris nervously glancing behind him at the broken trophy several times as the champagne continued to flow.

Not quite how Red Bull would have imagined the trophy would look in their cabinet (Getty Images)

The official McLaren Twitter account apologised for Norris' carelessness. And the Red Bull team account responded in good humour, writing on social media: "We can’t take you anywhere! Glad to have you up there with us though. We're gonna need some glue."

Norris initially joked that it wasn't his problem and that Verstappen had placed the trophy too close to the edge. He was more contrite in later media commitments however, saying: "First of all, I do want to apologise for it. I obviously had no intention in ever doing such a thing.

"I know how much it means to the Hungarians and part of their culture... and I did apologise to Max. I know I made a couple of jokes about which maybe I shouldn't but I do feel bad for (him).

"If he did it to my trophy I'd be annoyed. I do apologise for it and obviously to the people who put the time and effort into making it, I really didn't mean for it to happen. I'll make sure I'm a lot more careful next time."

All's well than ends well though. Verstappen would go on to receive a fixed version of the trophy, posting an image alongside Norris who was no doubt a lot more careful.

It certainly didn't send Verstappen's title ambitions crashing to the floor either. Of the following 11 races, the 26-year-old tasted victory a staggering 10 times and few would bet against him adding more to his collection in the coming years.

Daniel Moxon