McLaren's rising star Lando Norris experienced a moment of unexpected drama during his podium celebrations at the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend. The British driver, who secured a hard-fought second place finish, saw his victory champagne bottle shatter spectacularly as he attempted to spray it in traditional Formula 1 fashion.
A Podium Celebration Gone Wrong
The incident occurred moments after Norris stepped onto the podium alongside race winner Max Verstappen and third-place finisher Sergio Pérez. As the drivers began their customary champagne spraying, Norris' bottle suddenly broke apart, sending glass and bubbly flying in all directions.
"I've never seen anything like that before," Norris was heard saying as he examined the broken bottle neck still in his hand. The unexpected mishap left both spectators and fellow drivers momentarily stunned before erupting into laughter.
Safety First in the Heat of Celebration
Race officials quickly moved to clear the broken glass from the podium area while the celebrations continued. Remarkably, no one was injured in the incident, though it did create a memorable moment in what was already an exciting race weekend.
Norris later joked about the incident on social media, posting: "Guess I sprayed it with too much enthusiasm! Note to self - champagne bottles have limits." The 23-year-old driver has become known for his good humor and engaging personality both on and off the track.
A Strong Performance Despite the Mishap
The champagne incident shouldn't overshadow what was an impressive performance by Norris and the McLaren team. Starting from third on the grid, Norris executed a flawless race strategy to finish ahead of Pérez's Red Bull and secure valuable championship points.
This podium marks Norris' fifth top-three finish of the 2023 season, continuing his strong form in what many are calling his breakout year in Formula 1. The result also strengthens McLaren's position in the constructors' championship as the team continues its mid-season resurgence.
Social Media Reacts
The unusual podium moment quickly went viral across social media platforms, with fans creating memes and humorous edits of the incident. The official Formula 1 account shared slow-motion footage of the bottle breaking, which has already amassed millions of views.
Even rival teams got in on the fun, with Mercedes' official Twitter account joking: "We always knew Lando had explosive talent!" The lighthearted response highlights the camaraderie that exists between teams despite the intense competition on track.
As the Formula 1 circus moves to Belgium for next weekend's race, all eyes will be on Norris to see if he can continue his strong form - and whether he'll handle the champagne with a bit more care should he find himself on the podium again.
