Lando Norris has responded sharply to Max Verstappen’s recent claim that he would have easily secured this year’s Formula 1 world championship if he had been driving a McLaren. Norris, currently leading his teammate Oscar Piastri by 22 points and Verstappen by 25 points, is poised for a crucial showdown at the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix and the following Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen, a four-time world champion, suggested in an interview that he would have dominated the season had he been in the McLaren, a car that has recently showcased impressive performance, helping Norris and Piastri clinch the Constructors’ Championship earlier this month.
During the Qatar Sprint, won by Piastri, Norris managed to fend off Verstappen to secure third place. Post-race, Norris engaged in some competitive banter, stating that he “never saw” Verstappen behind him. He elaborated on this in the press conference, insisting that his focus was on his teammate Russell rather than being preoccupied with Verstappen.
“Max can say whatever he likes,” said Norris, acknowledging Verstappen’s remarkable achievements in the sport. “He has earned the right to speak out, but that doesn’t mean I necessarily agree with everything he says.”
Norris also characterized Verstappen’s comments as part of Red Bull’s aggressive rhetoric. “There’s a lot of things he doesn’t have much of a clue about,” he added, indicating that he prefers to let his on-track performance speak for itself rather than engage in verbal sparring.
Verstappen had charged back into title contention following the controversy at the Las Vegas Grand Prix when both Norris and Piastri faced disqualification due to technical breaches. Despite his victory in Las Vegas, Verstappen acknowledged that even with a win, the championship was slipping from his grasp as they entered Qatar.
The rivalry was further heightened during the Sprint Qualifying session, where both drivers accused each other of impeding their progress. With race day approaching, Norris will be starting from second on the grid, while Piastri takes pole position ahead of Verstappen in third.
This race offers a pivotal opportunity for Norris to solidify his title ambitions. If he finishes Sunday’s race while maintaining or extending his lead over Piastri and Verstappen, he will secure the championship, making it a crucial moment in his burgeoning career.
As the excitement builds for the Qatar Grand Prix, fans and analysts alike are eagerly looking forward to what promises to be an exhilarating finish to the season. With tensions running high between these top drivers, the outcome could very well reshape the narrative going into the final stretch of the championship.