Lando Norris's girlfriend Margarida Corceiro has finally broken her silence about their romance, opening up about the emotional kiss she shared with the newly crowned F1 world champion moments after his historic victory.
The 23-year-old Portuguese model spoke to TV Guia following Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Norris clinched the title to become only the 11th British driver to win the championship.
"I'm very happy, he's very happy and that's what matters," Corceiro said of their relationship, speaking publicly for the first time after "some hesitation."
It's the first time she's addressed the couple's now-famous trackside embrace.
Lando Norris and Margarida Corceiro shared an emotional kiss after the F1 star became world champion
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Before last weekend's race, Norris and Corceiro had kept things firmly under wraps, only confirming they were together back in August after two years of speculation swirling around them.
But all that secrecy disappeared on Sunday when the 26-year-old British driver stepped out of his McLaren, rushed to hug his parents, then turned to Corceiro.
She was in tears as they embraced and kissed with dozens of cameras capturing every moment.
"There's no rule for going public. I thought it made sense," she explained.
"At that moment, I forgot the cameras were there. It was such an important moment that I didn't even remember that."
Margarida Corceiro has regularly been spotted supporting Lando Norris, being seen with the F1 champ's mother at the Monaco Grand Prix here
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Lando Norris beat Max Verstappen by two points to become world champion
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The model also addressed controversy from earlier this year when she reportedly suggested that Max Verstappen, Norris's main title rival, "just wins by luck."
The comment sparked a fierce backlash from the Red Bull driver's supporters on social media, but Corceiro insists she's completely unbothered by the criticism.
"I didn't see anything. I don't know what criticisms are being talked about," she said.
"I deal with these things as I always have: I ignore them. They don't bother me and they don't change my daily life.
"I continue to be happy, to be with my family, friends, colleagues... Those are the ones who are important."
The couple first met a few years ago but only became serious more recently, with Norris telling British Vogue how much her companionship means to him.
Margarida Corceiro models for swimsuit brand MISSUS and previously dated Chelsea star Joao Felix | Instagram"She's someone I can very much be myself with. Very down to earth and she lives quite a crazy life as well," he said.
"It's nice when we can both just [rent] a boat for the day or go home together and chill."
Norris credits Corceiro's experience as a social media influencer for helping him cope better with online trolls, something he's struggled with in the past.
"She's quite wise to all of it," he added.