The Miami Grand Prix on May 4, 2025 will not only be reminded of McLaren’s dominant performance, but also for the sharp words of Lando Norris to Max Verstappen. After an intense opening round in which Norris lost four places through Verstappens’s aggressive defense, the British fierce criticism of the press conference: “Max racet is not smart. He ruined his own race.” This comment, as reported by GPFans, caused a stir, especially since Norris, despite his talent, does not yet have a world title, while Verstappen is four -time champion. The statement led to heated discussions on X, where Fans Norris dared to praise, but others advised him to show respect.

The rivalry between Norris and Verstappen flared up when the Dutchman closed the door at the start of the race for Norris, who tried to take the lead. Verstappen blocked his front tire in bend one, so Norris was forced out and lost positions. Although the FIA ​​did not hand out a punishment, Norris was visibly frustrated. On onboard images, later shared on X, he even lit his middle finger to Verstappen, a gesture that underlined his emotions. “It’s always with Max,” Norris said after the race, as quoted by F1Maximal, suggesting that Verstappens often crosses the border. Yet Norris managed to fight back to second place, behind teammate Oscar Piastri, who won the race.

Verstappens Race was less successful. A pit stop error and balance problems with the RB21 resulted in fourth place, 34 seconds behind Piastri. His frustration was audible via the on -board radio, where he called the car “disconnected”. Red Bull’s struggle this season, with McLaren as a clear leader in the constructors’ championship, seems to be putting to test Verstappens. Yet he remains third in the drivers’ classification, behind Piastri and Norris, who are first and second respectively. The dynamics between the two drivers, who are friends outside the track, is becoming increasingly stressed. Norris’s comments in Miami suggest that he sees Verstappens dominant driving style as a weakness, while Verstappen said in Japan earlier this year that he would put everyone on three laps in McLaren’s superior car. “

Norris’ criticism is not new. Already in 2024 he expressed worries about Verstappens’s aggressive approach, such as after their collision in Austria, where both rose a flat tire. Then Norris apologized, who never came, although they talked out the incident later. This season, with McLaren’s faster car, Norris seems to be more confident. His remark that Verstappen racet “not smart”, reflects his frustration about his uncompromising style, but also raises questions about Norris’s own position. As an X-user wrote: “Norris can criticize, but a four-time champion ridiculing without a title? That is daring.” Others, such as Sky Sports analyst Ralf Schumacher, noted that Norris’s recent errors, such as his crash in the qualification of Saudi Arabia, show his weakness under pressure.

McLaren’s dominance in Miami, with Piastri’s victory and Norris’s stage, underlines their technical lead. Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO, praised his drivers, but denied allegations of Red Bull about illegal tire cooling. Verstappen, supported by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, remains focused on upgrades, but the gap with McLaren is growing. Norris’s self -criticism, such as his remark after Bahrain that “something between me and the car does not click,” contrasts with his attack on Verstappen, which gives him both praise and criticism. Peter Windsor advised Norris to talk less and racing more, referring to Verstappens silent approach.

While Formula 1 is preparing for the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna, the tension between Norris and Verstappen remains felt. Their friendship, reinforced by shared Belgian roots and living in Monaco, is tested by their struggle on the job. Norris’s words in Miami were a warning that he no longer wants to be in Verstappen’s shadow, but the four -time champion will not be provoked. The question is whether Norris can fulfill his criticism with a title, or whether Verstappen, as a fan wrote on X, will answer with acts. ” The battle has not yet been decided.