Latest update on Max Verstappen’s broken Hungarian Grand Prix trophy

Michelle Foster 17 Aug 2023 9:45 AM

McLaren's Lando Norris looks at his broken F1 trophy at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Budapest, July 2023.

Max Verstappen should have a new trophy to mark his Hungarian Grand Prix victory by “the end of September at the latest” after Lando Norris accidentally broke the original during the podium celebrations.

That’s according to Herendi Porcelán, the Hungarian company behind the trophy, CEO Dr Attila Simon.

Crossing the line first and second at the Hungaroring, Verstappen and Norris followed up the national anthem with the traditional champagne celebrations with the McLaren driver popping his bottle against the podium.

Painting and gilding of the trophy are ‘currently underway’

Alas Verstappen’s porcelain trophy, which was perched on the edge of the top step, fell and shattered.

The company that designed the trophy, Herendi Porcelanmanufaktura Zrt., were quick to announce they’d create a new one for the reigning World Champion, one they’re already working on.

“Production began at the beginning of August, and painting and gilding are currently underway. We will be ready by the end of September at the latest,” Simon toldformula.hu.

But whether Norris, who apologised for the mishap, will head to the factory to witness the final touches, Simon says everyone is welcome.

“We always welcome everyone to the manufactory’s visitor centre to learn about the extremely high level of professionalism of hand-painted porcelain and porcelain-making and the process of value creation in Herend,” Simon said.

“We have had no communication with his team regarding Lando Norris’s visit, we are currently focusing on remaking the trophy.”

The trophy was later revealed to cost $45,000 and was the result of months of hand-crafting effort.

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Norris apologised for the accident.

“I obviously had no intention of ever doing such a thing,” he said. “And I know how much it means to the Hungarians and [is] part of their culture and so forth.

“Of course, I want to enjoy the time [celebrating on the podium], but it was never my intention to do such a thing.

“I did apologise to Max. I know I made a couple of jokes about it, which maybe I shouldn’t [have]. But I do feel bad. If he did it to my trophy I’d be annoyed!

“I do apologise for it and obviously [to] the people that put the time and effort in everything into making it. I really didn’t mean for it to happen. I’ll make sure I’m a lot more careful next time on celebrating.”

The McLaren driver, though, says he won’t change the way he celebrates podiums. “I’m going say no,” he said when that was put to him.

“There’s no reason why I should, I’ll just take a little bit more care with what I do. I’ll just move the trophies aside and then continue.”