JUST IN: Verstappen Breaks Schumacher’s Record Amid Norris’s ‘Lucky’ Comment – Global Media Responds….

In the world of Formula 1, records are often made to be broken, and on the 5th of November, 2024, Max Verstappen did just that. The Dutch driver, who has already established himself as one of the most dominant forces in modern F1, surpassed Michael Schumacher’s long-standing record for the most consecutive race wins in a single season. The record, which had been an untouchable benchmark since Schumacher’s reign in the early 2000s, was finally overtaken by Verstappen after he secured his 14th consecutive win at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.

However, the achievement did not come without its fair share of controversy, particularly in the aftermath of a comment made by fellow driver Lando Norris, who described Verstappen’s success as “lucky.” The remark has stirred debate among fans, pundits, and fellow drivers alike, with global media quick to cover the incident and delve into its implications.

Verstappen’s Historic Win

Max Verstappen’s latest victory marks yet another chapter in what has been a remarkable season for the 26-year-old. Since his breakthrough victory in 2016, Verstappen’s rise in Formula 1 has been nothing short of meteoric. Known for his aggressive driving style, sharp racing intellect, and relentless work ethic, Verstappen has cemented his status as one of the most talented drivers of his generation.

At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Verstappen displayed his signature dominance as he effortlessly managed to navigate through a packed field, fending off challenges from other top drivers while maintaining his composure in difficult conditions. His victory not only added another win to his collection but also saw him surpass Schumacher’s record of 13 consecutive wins set in 2004. The achievement is even more impressive when you consider that the competition has only become fiercer in recent years with the rise of younger, talented drivers and the technological evolution of F1 cars.

For Verstappen, this latest triumph is a testament to his consistent performance and the synergy he shares with his Red Bull Racing team. Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, spoke highly of Verstappen’s ability to maintain his focus across the entirety of the season, acknowledging that the record-breaking feat is the result of hard work and collective effort rather than sheer fortune.

Lando Norris’s ‘Lucky’ Comment

However, while Verstappen’s performance has largely been lauded by the F1 community, it wasn’t without some controversy. After the race, McLaren’s Lando Norris made a comment that quickly went viral. When asked about Verstappen’s dominance and the record, Norris was quoted saying, “I think Max is very talented, but he’s also been a bit lucky this year. Some things have just fallen his way.”

The comment sparked immediate debate among the media and fans, with many questioning whether Norris had downplayed Verstappen’s abilities and achievements. While Norris did acknowledge Verstappen’s talent, the use of the word “lucky” left a sour taste for many who viewed Verstappen’s success as the result of relentless effort and a finely-tuned racing machine, rather than mere fortune.

Norris, who has been one of the rising stars in F1 in recent seasons, has been in competition with Verstappen on numerous occasions. However, the gap in performance between the two drivers has been more pronounced in recent years, with Verstappen and Red Bull seemingly operating on a different level compared to Norris and McLaren. As a result, some fans speculated that Norris’s comment might have stemmed from a mixture of frustration and admiration for Verstappen’s undeniable superiority in 2024.

Global Media Response

The comment triggered a firestorm of reactions from various quarters of the motorsport media. While some saw it as an innocent remark from a young driver still finding his feet in the sport, others interpreted it as an unwelcome jab at Verstappen’s record. The comment quickly made headlines across social media, with fans, pundits, and other drivers chiming in to either defend or criticize Norris’s words.

Several established F1 journalists took to Twitter to express their views on Norris’s comment. Some, like Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz, defended Norris by suggesting that the remark was perhaps more a reflection of the frustration that comes with being a competitor in a sport where, at times, luck does play a role. “There are days when things just fall into place for some drivers, and that’s true for everyone at one point or another,” Kravitz noted. “Norris is a smart guy, and I think he meant no malice by it.”

On the other hand, others were quick to defend Verstappen, pointing out that the Dutchman’s success is the culmination of years of hard work, strategy, and a dominant team behind him.