The Formula 1 world has once again been rocked by McLaren driver Lando Norris’s harsh comments following the Miami Grand Prix, which targeted four-time world champion Max Verstappen. In his post-race press conference, in which Norris finished second, he called Verstappen’s driving style “lack of intelligence” and suggested the Dutchman had ruined his own race by defending too aggressively. The comments caused a stir, especially as Norris has never won a Grand Prix, let alone a world title. The rivalry between the two drivers, who are known to be friends outside of racing, appears to have reached a new level on the circuit, with fans and commentators reacting to Norris’s comments in mixed terms.

The controversy erupted in the first heat of the Miami Grand Prix, where Norris attempted to catch Verstappen. Verstappen, who as usual reacted fiercely, closed the door, forcing Norris to swerve and lose four positions. Although the FIA ​​did not impose a penalty and ruled that Verstappen was acting within the rules, Norris was clearly frustrated. “He is fighting hard, but he is ruining his own race. He is not really racing,” Norris told Racingnews365 and other media outlets. The harsh comments were striking given Verstappen’s dominant record of four world titles and recent wins in Japan and Imola in 2025. Norris’s comments appear to stem from a growing frustration, especially as he has yet to find an answer to Verstappen’s aggressive style.

The dynamic between Norris and Verstappen is nothing new. Last season, Norris expressed his displeasure with Verstappen’s defensive maneuvers, but the tone has now become more heated. During the Miami race, Norris’s frustration was even visible in onboard footage, where he gave Verstappen the middle finger. This gesture, combined with his subsequent statements, demonstrates the mental and strategic difficulty of a driver competing against a champion like Verstappen. Some analysts, such as Juan Pablo Montoya, point out that Norris’s lack of winning experience bothers him. “Verstappen is a champion in his own right,” Montoya told gptoday.net. “Norris needs to learn to deal with these situations more intelligently, instead of complaining.”

Reaction to Norris’s comments was mixed. On X, some fans praised his candor, while others accused him of arrogance. “How dare anyone criticize a four-time world champion without a win?” wrote one user. Others pointed out the irony: Norris, second in the championship, had ruined his own race in Canada by colliding with teammate Oscar Piastri. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, however, promised Norris his full support, as he told GP33, and stressed that the team was helping him grow as a driver. Piastri, who managed to overtake Verstappen in Miami, appeared to have less difficulty with the Dutchman. “I knew what to expect,” he said, suggesting that Norris’s approach had been less effective.

The criticism appears to have had little impact on Verstappen. The Dutchman, who is aiming for a fifth title in 2025, made up ground in Canada after disappointing races in Monaco and Spain, where he finished second behind George Russell. With a 49-point lead over Piastri, he remains the driver to beat despite a looming penalty suspension following a controversial incident with Russell in Spain. Verstappen himself was diplomatic about the situation with Norris: “Each of us is struggling in our own way. I am focused on my race.” That calm demeanor contrasts with Norris’s emotional reaction and highlights the difference in experience between the two.

This weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring promises to be another showdown between Norris and Verstappen. Five-time winner Verstappen is the favourite, but McLaren’s strong performance this season makes it tough to fight for the lead. Norris will need to back up his words with a solid performance, especially now that all eyes are on him after his bold statements. Formula 1 remains a tense and exciting sport, and this incident proves that the fight is not just about hard work. While Verstappen is chasing his championship title, Norris needs to prove that he can not only talk the talk, but also hold his own against the best driver of his generation.