Norris defends Amsterdam party after injury: 'I am not embarrassed'

Lando Norris insists he is "not embarrassed" after images emerged of him with a cut nose during Kings Day celebrations in Amsterdam.

Over the off-weekend between the Chinese and Miami Grands Prix, the McLaren driver was in the Dutch capital with friends for celebrations of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, but was pictured with a bandaged around his nose after a party on a boat.

The injury was only minor, but the Briton feels more has been made out of the minor story than needed to be.

"I've got a lot of friends, so it was a good weekend, but already the next morning, I flew straight to Miami," Norris told media including RacingNews365.

"It was just a bit of broken glass, and obviously looks a lot worse than it is, and everyone thought it was horrendous, but it's just a little cut.

"I wish it was a cooler story, but if I can spend some days with my friends, then I am going to enjoy it.

"People made a bigger deal out of it than it was, it was just a little cut but I am not embarrassed, I'm not trying to hide it."

Norris also described the pressure grand prix drivers face when being recognised when not on duty in public, but felt he needed to take that the intrusion into his private life as part of being a driver.

"I took a picture, and I flew over [to Miami] into something much bigger than what it should have been," he added.

"I'm recognised everywhere I go, and for every driver, you get recognised quite a bit, especially with Drive to Survive and things like that, and it is not specifically racing fans who recognise you.

"It is definitely worse than a few years ago, and do I wish I was seen less? Yes, but it is part of it and I have nothing to complain about.

"Sometimes when you're out for dinner or with your family, I guess you wish you could be noticed less, you always feel like there are some eyes on you.

"But I am sure its a lot worse for people who are even more famous, and I'm sure a lot of people wish they could be in Formula 1 - so you win some and you lose some."