Max Verstappen gives clear verdict on Lando Norris’ ‘Simply Lovely’ comment after Dutch GP win - “They tried to throw me off mentally”

Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Formula 1 title this season. Reflecting on his season and his battle with Lando Norris in an interview, the 63-time race winner gave a verdict on the latter's 'Simply Lovely' comment at Zandvoort.

Unlike the dominating the 2022 and 2023 F1 seasons, Verstappen faced an uphill challenge with Red Bull's RB20 race car throughout the 24 races this year. Although the 27-year-old Dutch racer was consistent in the early stage of the 2024 season, he began facing tough competition from the likes of McLaren's Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc after the Miami Grand Prix in May.

Despite being the favorite in his home race at Zandvoort (Verstappen won the Dutch Grand Prix from 2021 to 2023), the Dutchman faced defeat at the hands of his title rival Norris. As the race ended, Norris commented 'Simply Lovely' on team radio, a term used largely by the Red Bull driver.

During a recent interview, Verstappen claimed he was unaffected by McLaren and Norris' tactic to throw him off mentally by using his phrase after winning the Dutch GP. He said:

"You have to see that as a compliment. If others start copying you, it’s a compliment. I think they were very focused on beating me at Zandvoort to make a statement and throw me off mentally. But I don’t care about things like that. I was just disappointed we came up short in the race.

"Of course, I would have liked to win in Zandvoort, but mentally, it doesn’t affect me. Even a quote like that doesn’t bother me. It’s fine, just let it go, I’m already focused on the next race. You have to stay unemotional about it; if you let those things get to you, you’ll start making mistakes."

Verstappen's statement was shared on X by one of the Dutchman's fan accounts. Here's a look at the post, captioned:

"Max on Lando saying 'Simply Lovely' over the radio after winning in Zandvoort"

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"We had a bit of a tough run in the middle of the season" - Max Verstappen reflected on a tough 2024 season during the FIA Awards ceremony in Rwanda

2023 champions Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing had a tough 2024 Formula 1 season, with only the Dutchman managing to defend his title this year. The 27-year-old four-time world champion reflected on the tough year during the recently concluded FIA Awards ceremony in Rwanda.

"This season as you could see was quite up and down. We had a great start to the year, everything was looking great. I think especially from the outside, of course, as a team you always understand your limitations and what you want to work on," Verstappen said.

"We had a bit of a tough run in the middle of the season but even when we were under pressure, and having tough times, I think the team really stuck together. We didn’t panic, which could easily be done I think in those kinds of situations," he added.

While Verstappen finished first in the Drivers' table, Red Bull ended up in third place in the Constructors' championship behind McLaren in first and Ferrari in second.