Margarida Corceiro has spoken publicly for the first time about her relationship with Lando Norris.

Lando Norris and Magui Corceiro did little to hide their relationship in Abu Dhabi (Image: Getty)

Lando Norris’ girlfriend has confessed she “forgot the cameras were there” as she spoke publicly for the first time about their romance and the kiss she gave the Formula 1 star moments after he claimed the World championship. Prior to last weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris and Portuguese model Margarida Corceiro had remained largely silent in public, offering little to substantiate the dating speculation surrounding them beyond confirming their relationship in August following two years of rumours.

However, all secrecy vanished on Sunday when, after clinching the title and exiting his McLaren, the 26-year-old British driver rushed to embrace his parents before turning to Corceiro, who was emotional as they hugged and kissed before dozens of cameras.Following “some hesitation”, the 23-year-old model spoke to Portuguese broadcaster TV Guia, saying of her relationship with Norris: “I’m very happy, he’s very happy and that’s what matters.”

Discussing their kiss in front of the global media specifically, she continued: “There’s no rule for going public. I thought it made sense… At that moment, I forgot the cameras were there. It was such and important moment that I didn’t even remember that.”

Earlier this year, Corceiro sparked controversy when she allegedly suggested Max Verstappen, Norris’ primary championship challenger on the season’s concluding day, “just wins by luck”. Certain supporters of the Red Bull driver subsequently took to social media to criticise her, though the young model claims she remains unaware of any negative reaction.

Magui Corceiro has been spotted in many F1 paddocks since the summer (Image: Getty)

She explained: “I didn’t see anything. I don’t know what criticisms are being talked about. 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.”

Following the initial public confirmation of their romance at the Hungarian Grand Prix in early August, Norris revealed to British Vogue the significance of her support. “We met a few years ago, but we were never really together until more recently,” he said.

“She’s someone I can very much be myself with. Very down to earth and she lives quite a crazy life as well. It’s nice when we can both just [rent] a boat for the day or go home together and chill.”

Norris has previously been susceptible to online abuse but maintains: “It affects me a lot less than it did. I pay a lot less attention to it now.”

He acknowledges that Corceiro and her experience as a social media influencer have assisted him in managing online harassment more effectively. He continued: “I don’t think anyone can look at a bad comment from someone and move on like nothing’s ever happened. You don’t want to see bad things written about anyone, but she’s quite wise to all of it.”