Lando Norris jokes with Kimi Antonelli after turn 1 crash at Brazil GP: “You have to thank Charles”. Lando Norris jokingly tells Kimi Antonelli to thank Charles Leclerc after the chaotic turn 1 crash.

Behind the podium, Lando Norris comments on turn 1 chaos

The three-car crash at turn 1, involving Oscar Piastri, Kimi Antonelli, and Charles Leclerc, became one of the main talking points even behind the podium before the official ceremony. In the waiting room, the top three finishers at the São Paulo Grand Prix – Lando Norris, Kimi Antonelli, and Max Verstappen – discussed the race highlights playing on the TV, and naturally their attention was drawn to the incident during the Safety Car restart, which Kimi Antonelli experienced firsthand.

Watching the footage of the crash that ultimately influenced the race outcome, Max Verstappen reacted with a simple, expressive “Oh my god!”. At that point, Kimi Antonelli pointed out his own situation to the Dutch world champion: “Did you see how screwed I was?”

Lando Norris, however, took a lighter approach, joking about how the Italian driver, whose Mercedes was almost completely sideways, was saved only by bouncing off Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, who was an innocent victim in the chaotic moment.

“You have to say thanks to Charles!” the Englishman quipped. “Yes, poor guy,” Kimi Antonelli added with a smile.