Norris criticizes Red Bull: “Best car, but Perez…”

During the press conference ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, Lando Norris took aim at Red Bull, acknowledging their car as the best on the grid but delivering a sharp critique of Sergio Perez

The McLaren driver was on fire as he addressed the media, following a tough spell in his season. This has been further underscored by Max Verstappen officially clinching the World Championship title in Las Vegas. However, Norris and the Woking-based team still have unfinished business: with a 24-point lead over Ferrari, McLaren is on the verge of securing first place in the Constructors’ Championship. The remaining circuits, at least on paper, appear to favor the Papaya cars over the Prancing Horse.

Although the spotlight remains on the only Championship still undecided, the Drivers’ World Championship continues to spark debate. Norris, as previously reported, stirred the pot with his comments about Verstappen: “No, he wouldn’t have done it. Absolutely not (referring to winning in a McLaren, ed.). No one in Formula 1 history has ever managed to come back from a deficit like the one I had. Never. In the past, performance fluctuations in cars have been much more pronounced than they are today. The advantage Red Bull had at the start of the season was far greater than anything we’ve had since “.

Norris doubled down on his critique of Red Bull, focusing on the Milton Keynes-based team’s season and especially Sergio Perez’s performance:
“Red Bull has done an extraordinary job as a team, but that wasn’t enough to cover certain shortcomings. If they had two drivers on Max’s level, the Constructors’ Championship would have been theirs without question. It’s a fact, and it’s plain to see“.

Norris’s cryptic social media post about Red Bull

Norris’s comments come after another incident earlier in the week. The British driver reportedly removed a “like” and a post praising his rival and close friend, Max Verstappen, from his social media accounts. The swift reversal didn’t go unnoticed, with fans quickly sharing screenshots and sparking online speculation.
Social media drama aside, it’s time for action on the track—something often overshadowed by this budding rivalry between Norris and Verstappen. Whether this rivalry is still in its infancy or already fading, one thing is clear: the Drivers’ Championship is decided, but the narrative continues.

Photo: Oracle Red Bull Racing, McLaren