The Formula 1 world was shaken earlier today after Kelly Piquet, the longtime partner of reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, took to social media with a pointed and sarcastic remark that appeared to be aimed directly at McLaren’s rising star, Lando Norris.

Her unexpected comment — “Hey, buddy, while you spend your days criticizing Verstappen, he’s out there trying to win” — instantly ignited a wildfire of reactions across the motorsport community. Fans, pundits, and even current drivers have weighed in on what has now become one of the most talked-about off-track moments of the 2025 F1 season.

The Backstory: Norris vs. Verstappen?

Tensions between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have been simmering for weeks following a string of on-track clashes and off-track remarks. During the last few Grand Prix weekends, Norris has openly questioned Verstappen’s aggressive racing tactics, especially after a series of near-collisions in Bahrain and Imola.

In a post-race interview after the Imola Grand Prix, Norris said:

“We all want to race hard, but there’s a line between bold and reckless. I think sometimes Max forgets that he’s not the only one on the track.”

While Verstappen responded by brushing off the comments with a typical cool demeanor — “I’m not here to make friends” — the feud seemed to die down until Kelly Piquet reignited the fire with her now-viral remark.

The Comment That Sparked the Storm

On her Instagram story, Kelly Piquet posted a photo of Verstappen at the Red Bull garage with the caption:

“While others waste time talking, he keeps doing what he does best — winning. 💪 #KeepPushing”

Then came the now-infamous comment under a racing highlights video featuring Norris:

“Hey, buddy, while you spend your days criticizing Verstappen, he’s out there trying to win. Maybe focus on your own racing?”

The post was quickly screenshotted and shared across social media platforms, with millions of views and thousands of comments flooding in within hours.

Reactions from the F1 Community

The F1 paddock was quick to respond to the incident. While Verstappen himself has remained silent, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was asked about the comment during a press conference in Austria:

“Look, Kelly is her own person, and she’s entitled to her opinion. I won’t speak for her. But what I can say is that Max is fully focused on the championship, and that’s where our energy is.”

Lando Norris, appearing visibly annoyed but composed, addressed the issue during media day:

“I’m not interested in social media drama. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but I stand by what I’ve said about racing standards. My focus is on McLaren, not Max or his girlfriend.”

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella added diplomatically:

“We prefer to keep things professional. Lando has raised legitimate concerns, and we expect respectful dialogue in this sport — not sarcasm and personal attacks.”

Fan Base Frenzy: Team Max vs. Team Lando

The online reaction has been explosive. Verstappen supporters rallied behind Kelly, praising her for standing up for her partner and calling her comment “a dose of truth.” Meanwhile, Norris fans accused her of unnecessary provocation and accused Red Bull of arrogance.

Hashtags like #ProtectLando and #TeamMax were trending within minutes on X (formerly Twitter). One user commented:

“Lando’s speaking facts about on-track safety, and Kelly thinks it’s a joke? She’s not even a driver.”

Another posted:

“Kelly said what everyone was thinking. Max is winning. The rest are just salty.”

Impact on Team Dynamics and PR

While the incident may appear superficial to some, F1 insiders believe it highlights growing tensions between McLaren and Red Bull as both teams push for dominance in a tightly contested 2025 season. With Red Bull still leading the Constructors’ Championship and McLaren closing in, the psychological battle off the track could prove just as decisive as the racing itself.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Comment?

Though it may have started as a throwaway sarcastic remark, Kelly Piquet’s words have struck a nerve in the ultra-competitive world of Formula 1. As fans eagerly await the next Grand Prix, one thing is clear: the rivalry between Verstappen and Norris — once playful — has taken a deeply personal turn.

With emotions running high and the championship hanging in the balance, all eyes will now be on the next time Norris and Verstappen go wheel-to-wheel. And this time, it won’t just be about lap times — it’ll be about pride.