Norris Jabs Verstappen over Controversial dem… read more

Norris Jabs Verstappen over Controversial dem… read more

Lando Norris took a playful yet pointed dig at Max Verstappen following a controversial incident at the Spanish Grand Prix that saw the Dutchman penalized. Verstappen, known for his aggressive driving style, was slapped with a 10-second penalty after appearing to deliberately collide with Mercedes driver George Russell during a heated moment in the race. The penalty dropped Verstappen from fifth to 10th place in the provisional race standings, sparking widespread debate across the Formula 1 paddock.

The contact occurred during a mid-race tussle in which Verstappen seemed to steer into Russell, leading to an immediate investigation by race stewards. After reviewing the footage, officials deemed the incident intentional enough to warrant a time penalty, a decision that has since divided fans, pundits, and drivers alike.

Russell, clearly frustrated, did not hold back during his post-race media interviews. He acknowledged Verstappen’s talent but criticized his judgment, warning that his on-track actions set a poor example for young fans watching the sport. “Max is an incredible driver, no doubt,” Russell said, “but incidents like this tarnish his reputation. Kids look up to us. We need to remember that.”

In the post-race cooldown room, Norris added some levity to the situation while watching a replay of the crash on the big screen. Sitting alongside Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, Norris quipped, “I’ve done that before, in Mario Kart,” drawing laughter from his fellow podium finishers. When asked later by Sky Sports F1 about the cheeky remark, Norris played coy, replying with a grin, “They heard that? Right… no comment.”

The playful jab wasn’t Norris’s only moment of provocation. While waiting to be interviewed in the media pen, the McLaren driver saw Russell pass by and jokingly remarked, “I can’t believe you turned on him like that,” referencing the clash with Verstappen. Russell, however, was not in the mood for jokes, offering a blunt and serious take on the incident.

The clash between Verstappen and Russell also rekindled memories of their tense relationship from the 2024 season. The two have clashed before, notably during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, where Russell accused Verstappen of threatening to crash into him and labeled him a “bully.” Verstappen firmly denied the accusations, but the tension between the pair has lingered ever since.

As for Verstappen, the penalty proved costly. Not only did it cost him a potential podium finish, but it also further widened the gap in the drivers’ championship standings. He now trails Oscar Piastri by 49 points, a significant blow to his title hopes. Meanwhile, Norris’s second-place finish helped solidify his own standing as a serious contender in this year’s championship.

Though Norris’s comments were made in jest, they underscored the growing friction between several of the grid’s top drivers — and highlighted how even moments of humor in Formula 1 can reveal deeper rivalries.