Lando Norris Blasts Back at Max Verstappen Over ‘Anti-Racing’ 2026 F1 Claims

Lando Norris has snapped back at Max Verstappen following his claims of the 2026 regulations feeling 'anti-racing' to Formula 1.

Lando Norris Blasts Back at Max Verstappen Over ‘Anti-Racing’ 2026 F1 Claims

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via F1)

In Short
  • Lando Norris criticized Max Verstappen's negative view on the 2026 F1 regulations, suggesting he could leave the sport if dissatisfied.
  • Norris emphasized that F1 drivers are well-compensated and shouldn't complain about performance challenges.
  • He expressed excitement about the new regulations and the potential of the cars, contrasting his views with Verstappen's skepticism.

Lando Norris couldn’t wait too long to make yet another controversial claim in Formula 1. The Briton has performed well over the pre-season test in Bahrain and is looking forward to the challenge of the new regulations. However, Norris just couldn’t sit right with Max Verstappen‘s claims of the 2026 season feeling counterintuitive to the sport, and has brutally responded.

Max Verstappen was among those who did not initially enjoy the 2026 season regulations. The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and many others also raised skeptical remarks over the new regulations. Meanwhile, McLaren showed up with decent results and was delighted with the pace produced in their car under the new regulations.

As such, Lando Norris opened up and provided his brutal opinion on Max Verstappen and his career depending on how he performed under the new regulations. The reigning world champion insisted that he had a lot of fun driving the car. Further, Norris declared that if Verstappen wanted to leave Formula 1 because of poor performances under the new regulations, he could do so.

Lando Norris acknowledged that Max Verstappen wasn’t any other driver and would give it his all to win when he got out on track. If the regulations prevented him from giving it his all on-track, he could certainly consider retirement. However, Norris noted that if Verstappen came out on the track and started driving it for the first time, then he would agree that the cars were amazing and had great potential.

A lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. Yeah, if he wants to retire, he can retire. I don’t expect Max is going to go out and not give a shit – he’s going to try and win, It certainly doesn’t feel as quick as the past few years, and it certainly doesn’t handle as perfectly. But I’m sure if he came into this and this was the F1 car he started driving, then he probably would say it’s amazing.

Lando Norris told The Race.

Lando Norris claims Max Verstappen “doesn’t have to be in” Formula 1

Max Verstappen remained one of the toughest competitors to Lando Norris during the final seasons of the ground-effect era. Norris almost lost out on the championship in 2025 and won it in the end by a mere two-point gap. The Briton further continued his rant and insisted that Verstappen and many other drivers who were so critical of the new regulations were not forced to drive in the season.

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Lando Norris pointed out that the F1 drivers were paid a ‘stupid amount’ of money to drive, and hence they couldn’t really complain about their performances. He added that any driver could leave F1 and find something else to do, and Max Verstappen did not need to be in the sport anymore. Ultimately, Norris reassured that he had nothing to complain about in the new regulations and was looking forward to the challenge.

We get paid a stupid amount of money to drive, so you can’t really complain at the end of the day. Any driver can go and find something else to do – it’s not like he has to be here, or any driver has to be here. It’s a challenge, but it’s a good, fun challenge for the engineers, for the drivers. It’s different. I still get to drive cars and travel the world and have a lot of fun. So no, nothing to complain about.

Lando Norris noted.

The first race of the 2026 season hasn’t even arrived, and Lando Norris is making things interesting. It will be fun to witness what Max Verstappen has to say in response to the reigning world champion. For now, Verstappen’s full focus will be on the new regulations and starting the season on the right foot in the championship battle.

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