Lando Norris Backs Max Verstappen’s Brutal 2026 F1 Car Criticism

Lando Norris has backtracked on his previous criticism of Max Verstappen and is now supporting the later against the 2026 F1 cars.

Lando Norris Backs Max Verstappen’s Brutal 2026 F1 Car Criticism

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via F1)

Lando Norris has been somewhat inconsistent with his comments on the 2026 F1 challengers. The Briton initially supported the regulations and believed that drivers simply needed to get used to the challenge. However, now, after criticizing Max Verstappen‘s notion of the 2026 cars, Norris has resorted to joining the four-time champion and supporting his claims.

Amid the 2026 preparations, Lando Norris had made some controversial remarks about Max Verstappen and his claims of the cars feeling more like Formula E on steroids. Norris asserted that the four-time champion was free to retire if he felt this way. Now, the reigning world champion has backtracked on his previous claims and sided with Verstappen in his tirade against the modern regulations.

Lando Norris revealed that he intentionally made opposing comments to what Max Verstappen said, just to give rise to some drama and controversy. Norris tried to save face by claiming that he wanted to see how everyone reacted to his comments. Ultimately, the 2025 F1 champion pointed out that he accepted whatever Verstappen had to say about the regulations of the upcoming season.

Honestly, I just wanted to say that. I didn’t want to complain about anything. I just wanted to say that and see what the reaction was of everyone, and I agree with Max, and a lot of comments, probably most of the comments I agree with.

Lando Norris said, as reported by Planetf1.

However, Lando Norris reckoned that it wasn’t like he wasn’t having any fun at all driving the cars of the latest regulations. Norris accepted that he agreed with every other driver’s comments about the problems in the cars, but he did not want to comment negatively at the beginning of the season. The Briton reassured that he was having fun out on track and wanted to say so, as he felt.

But it’s not that I don’t have fun out there. So there’s two sides. I do agree with basically every other driver, because I think every other drivers made their comments pretty clear. I just didn’t want to come out into the media and complain to everyone on the first weekend back. I want to still enjoy my time and just say what I feel. But I had fun last week. I’ve still been having fun out there now.

Lando Norris added.

Lando Norris claims 2026 F1 “not the purest form of racing”

Certainly, the 2026 F1 regulations have been believed to be borderline unsafe for the drivers, especially the race start procedures. However, the F1 veterans such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and many others believe that the unsafe aspect isn’t really true. Meanwhile, Lando Norris has shared his negative view on the new regulations and revealed his “true” opinion on the matter.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (via DPPI)
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (via DPPI)

Lando Norris reckoned that the FIA and F1 were trying to improve the car under the latest regulations. The Briton believed that the sport wasn’t going through the purest form of racing currently, and Formula 1 was steering away from its originality. Norris continued that a lot of the driving was focused on energy management, and less on how a driver extracted maximum performance out of the car.

As a championship, and with the FIA and with Formula 1, we’re trying to improve the car that we have now, because it’s certainly not the purest form of racing, and that’s what Formula 1 should be. A lot of the driving is focused on just trying to get the battery to work properly, and less focus on, how can you, as a driver, get everything out of the car. So, I completely agree with a lot of the comments. I just wanted to see everyone’s reactions for me saying something opposite.

Lando Norris noted.

The 2026 season hasn’t even begun yet, and Lando Norris has started with his controversial comments. It is a long season ahead, and it will be interesting to see how Norris sways people’s opinion on him. For now, the reigning world champion will aim to keep up with his championship-winning streak. Only time will tell whether the Briton manages to do so and compete against the veterans.

Read More: Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen Unite to Shut Down ‘Dangerous’ 2026 F1 Start Claims