Lando Norris Reveals Secret Behind Signature Podium Champagne Smash

Lando Norris's distinctive podium champagne celebration has become a fan favorite. Unlike simply shaking the bottle, the McLaren driver adds flair by hitting the bottle's base on the podium, causing a dramatic spray.

Why it matters:

Norris's unique celebration adds excitement to F1 podiums, but his explanation reveals a surprising element of danger. Beyond the theatrics, his strong performance and candid remarks on team dynamics with Oscar Piastri highlight a key storyline for McLaren's championship pursuit.

The trick:

Norris explained on the F1 Explains podcast that his method involves "smash[ing] it against the ground" rather than shaking. The crucial detail, he revealed, is the bottle's strength. "The trick to that is by having a very, very thick, strong bottle," he stated. He explicitly warned against using prosecco bottles, which are typically thinner and risk "smash[ing] it and cut[ting] your hand open." He added with a smile, "This is dangerous, dangerous stuff." Norris admitted he's "waiting for the day it goes horribly wrong."

By the numbers:

• Norris has achieved 34 F1 podiums and 6 career wins.
• He is currently second in the 2025 drivers' standings with 176 points, 10 points behind McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri (186 points).
• McLaren holds a substantial 197-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors' standings.

The bigger picture:

As McLaren leads the constructors' championship, the intense internal competition between Norris and Piastri is a critical factor. Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Norris openly acknowledged that a collision between them is a matter of "when," not "if." "We never said we're going to avoid everything," Norris stated, emphasizing that both drivers are competitive and want to win, but the primary goal is to "stay strong together as a team."

What's next:

Norris and Piastri head into the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Their individual ambitions are clear, and while they will try to avoid incidents, both drivers and Team Principal Andrea Stella recognize that on-track clashes are an "inevitable" part of fierce racing competition.