Keir Starmer faces backlash over Lando Norris congratulations
Sir Keir Starmer has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after offering his congratulations to Lando Norris following the British driver’s maiden Formula 1 World Championship triumph, reports BritPanorama.
The Prime Minister took to social media to hail Norris as “Britain’s new F1 champion,” calling his season “unbelievable” and “so well deserved.” However, his physical presence at a public event in Surrey, where he addressed McLaren staff celebrating their driver’s historic achievement, incited fierce criticism online.
Commenters accused the PM of attempting to bask in reflected glory, with one branding him “the ultimate buzz killer” for attending the team’s celebrations. This backlash drew heightened scrutiny as many felt Starmer’s timing overshadowed the team’s achievements.
Speaking at the Surrey event, Starmer reflected on Norris’s emotional post-race interview, urging those present to share in the moment. “It’s amazing to be here the day after Lando won yesterday,” he told the crowd, expressing hope that they were smiling after the event.
Starmer highlighted Norris’s gratitude towards his McLaren colleagues, emphasising that success in motorsport requires collective effort. He encouraged staff to take pride in what he described as “an incredible result.”
Despite his intentions, the online backlash was swift and unforgiving. Critics expressed their discontent, highlighting that McLaren workers, celebrating their driver’s victory, were instead treated to Starmer’s attempt to join in their success, deriding him as “sucking the life out of their success.” One comment cited the disparity in their energies, stating, “Lando Norris drives at 200mph. Keir Starmer speaks at 2mph.”
Another observer quipped about the scene, suggesting the celebration’s mood was dampened by the presence of a “Regional Manager of Dullville,” while a particularly cutting remark compared Starmer to former Chelsea captain John Terry, infamous for inserting himself into celebratory moments, calling him “a weasel of a man.”
Norris clinched his first world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, arriving with a 12-point advantage over defending champion Max Verstappen. Although Verstappen took the chequered flag, Norris’s third-place finish proved sufficient to secure the championship by two points, marking him as the 11th British driver to claim the sport’s ultimate prize.
Visibly moved, Norris broke down in tears during his post-race interview, emotionally reflecting, “I’ve not cried in a while. I didn’t think I’d cry but I did. It’s a long journey,” before thanking his parents for their unwavering support throughout his career.
In a world where motorsport glories are celebrated, the sudden insertion of political figures can often generate divisive opinions. Starmer’s intentions may have been rooted in congratulatory spirit, yet the incident vividly illustrates how sport and politics can collide unexpectedly, sometimes to the dismay of those simply looking to revel in a moment of collective success.
