Lando Norris believes that it was George Russell who deserved to win the Brazilian Grand Prix, labelling Max Verstappen ‘lucky’, despite him taking the chequered flag over 19 seconds clear of the rest.

Norris lost the lead of the race at the start to Russell but was hounding the Mercedes driver throughout the opening stint. When a virtual safety car came out on lap 28, the pair both pitted, only for Franco Colapinto to crash two laps later, triggering a red flag.

This played perfectly into Verstappen’s hands. He was able to strap on fresh intermediate tyres and restarted second behind Esteban Ocon, who also gambled and stayed out.

From there, Verstappen took the lead and stormed off into the distance, opening up an advantage of over 19 seconds. Norris and Russell were shuffled back into the pack, with the former crossing the line in P6.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Norris offered his view on the race. “All about position loss,” he said. “We were just under the red flag with the free pit stop for the others, so unfortunate, nothing more.

“George probably felt like he won the race today and he probably deserved to win the race today more than anyone else but sometimes it’s just unlucky and the rules go against you.

“So a difficult day, I made a couple of mistakes that cost me against George and cost me against Charles. Nothing more. It was a tough day, I did my best. I’ve had a lot of good races, it was about time that something didn’t go right.”

Asked for a word on his championship rival’s impressive victory, Norris doubled down, adding: “[He] drove well, he got a bit lucky but that’s life.”

Norris headed into the Grand Prix just 44 points behind the Dutchman but now trails by 62. If Verstappen can depart Las Vegas next time out with a 60-point lead or larger, he will be crowned a four-time champion.