Max Verstappen doubles down on dig at Lando Norris after McLaren driver's 'talking nonsense' remark

Max Verstappen has doubled down on the dig he took at Lando Norris ahead of the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP weekend, where the McLaren driver ultimately won the championship. The Red Bull driver had claimed that he would've won the championship several races ago had he been driving the dominant McLaren car.

The statement didn't go down well with Norris. Though the Briton highlighted that he respected Verstappen for all he has achieved in F1 as a four-time champion, he stated that the Dutchman was "talking nonsense a lot of the time" and that such 'aggressiveness' has been a pattern from Red Bull.

In a recent interview with Formule1.nl, Max Verstappen was asked about the mind games in F1 and presented with that particular statement about winning the 2025 championship many moons ago in a McLaren.

"Haha, but that's just a fact!" the Red Bull driver replied. "That's not meant to be irritating, not even consciously or unconsciously. It's just a fact. And no one has to agree with it, but that's how I feel about it. That's my opinion. Some people won't like hearing it, but that's not my problem, ultimately. I'm not saying it to provoke anyone, but when someone asks me something, I usually just answer. And yes, it's a fact."

Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi GP last week over the McLaren drivers after starting on pole. It was his eighth victory of the season, six of which came in the second half of the season, helping him overcome a 104-point deficit to former championship leader Oscar Piastri.

However, the Dutchman lost the 2025 championship by just two points to Lando Norris, who finished third in Abu Dhabi to win his first drivers' title.

Max Verstappen sends video message to Lando Norris after skipping FIA gala

Lando Norris with his F1 championship trophy at the 2025 FIA Awards - Source: Getty

Max Verstappen missed the FIA prize-giving gala in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Friday, where the top three finishers in the standings were to be honored. The Dutchman, who finished runner-up to Lando Norris, had to withdraw from the event after catching the flu.

However, he sent a video message to Norris and McLaren for their double triumph in 2025, taking home the constructors' and the drivers' championships.

"A big congratulations to McLaren and especially Lando," Verstappen said. "You guys had an unbelievable season, and it was really cool to be able to race against you guys until the end. But I definitely enjoyed it! Take care. Have a great evening, and see you guys all in 2026. Bye bye!"

Lando Norris will borrow the number 1 from Max Verstappen as his car number for 2026. Only reigning champions are allowed the privilege of using the number 1, and Verstappen will have to revert to 33, his old number, or use 3, which was his original choice upon F1 entry. However, it wasn't available because Daniel Ricciardo was using it.