The 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix is all wrapped up now. And while the race on the track could’ve been dismissed for being a tad too mild in terms of drama, from an enthusiast’s perspective, the most talented drivers on the entire planet put on a supreme show of their skills and talent. It was a race of tire management and strategy at the end, and Lando Norris surely excelled at it. But the Brit knows there’s only one way to get beyond Max Verstappen.

Norris paced himself impeccably throughout the race and it paid dividends towards the end as he stopped Sergio Perez‘s bulldozing run. But it was only good enough for P2 from his perspective. While Verstappen ran away with a comfortable win, the 23-year-old is hungrier than ever for his 1st F1 win given McLaren’s recent upturn in fortunes. But is he willing to stab a close friend in the back for it?

Lando Norris doesn’t wish Verstappen well

If not for the Dutch lion, Norris would’ve been a Grand Prix winner this afternoon. But the way the 2x champion has been driving, beating him off the track doesn’t seem like the practical option. And Verstappen may be a close friend of Norris, but for the Brit, his own glory will always come first.

After the race, Norris was quoted as saying, “Not an easy one with Checo [Perez] catching at the end. He didn’t have the pace at the end. I got screwed over at the start. So a podium is good.” During his debrief, however, he did let a bit of wishful thinking slip in which may prove tricky for Red Bull if it comes true!

He continued, “Unless Max [Verstappen] retires [a win possible] but those guys are quick. We will take it for now and our time will come later in the year.”

Read More: “Car Remains Uncompetitive”: Despite Superior Exploits at Home, Lando Norris Exposes Major Chink in McLaren’s Armour

Norris would’ve been hoping for more after the electric start he made, but his fans are more than happy to see their man bathe in champagne after all!

Fans laud Norris’ stellar Hungarian GP drive

As soon as the Brit crossed the chequered flag, his fans rushed to the social networking site, Twitter, to share their reactions. Understandably so, the jubilation was high as Norris secured his first-ever consecutive podium finish in Formula 1.

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Can Norris make it three for three at the Belgian Grand Prix next weekend?