Norris says nobody followed up after Madrid Coca-Cola exchange

Lando Norris says nobody has followed up with him about the viral Coca-Cola exchange in the cooldown room after the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. In Austin ahead of the United States Grand Prix, the McLaren driver argued that drivers should be free to choose their drinks after a race.

The exchange came after Norris finished third at the new Madring circuit in September. In the cooldown room, he appeared to be asked to put down the Coca-Cola he was drinking; he replied that he had just raced and could drink what he wanted. The clip was widely shared on social media.

Asked in Austin about follow-up and cameras filming drivers immediately after a race, Norris cited two hours in the car, what he called some of the hottest races and cars he said were difficult to drive. He framed the matter as television branding, not something he should have to think about. Pepsi, a Coca-Cola rival, is an official Formula 1 partner.

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner had criticized Norris’s original response on The Red Flags podcast as unwise, arguing that a professional should know what he can and cannot do. Norris said McLaren may have been told off more than he was and that the team had small, unbranded holders for drinks.