F1 world champ Max Verstappen taunts media with sarcasm and fight claims with Lando Norris

F1 world champion Max Verstappen has taunted the media with sarcasm, deflection and claims of a pub fight with title rival Lando Norris in retaliation to getting booed at the season launch.

IN HIS first media appearance since being booed at Formula 1’s season launch in London, Max Verstappen conducted a bizarre press conference littered with sarcasm and deflection.

Verstappen, the world champion, was part of a five-driver press conference that took place on the second day of testing in Bahrain. After introductory questions from Lawrence Barretto, the host, journalists were able to contribute.

The first question was directed at Verstappen, who joked it was in fact for Alex Albon, the Williams driver sitting alongside him. He was asked for his reaction to the booing at F175 and the fact his father, the former F1 driver Jos, had said he would boycott the launch event if it is held in England again.

“There were any boos?” Verstappen asked, sarcastically. “I didn’t hear any. Maybe I’m deaf. I don’t need to really talk about it, it’s not worth my time.”

He answered questions about the Red Bull car during testing in a normal manner, before each driver was asked to evaluate F175 and their feelings towards it returning. “Yeah, it was absolutely fantastic,” he said. When laughter broke out in the room, he added: “I haven’t said anything wrong.”

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris share a light-hearted moment at the media call in Bahrain. Photo: Getty Images

It is understood Verstappen, 27, feels that whatever words he uses will be misinterpreted in the media and is bored of the discourse around the event. He has made clear he does not enjoy much of the fanfare and additional requirements that come with being an F1 driver, and is happiest when he is in the cockpit. The evolution of the sport and increased commercialisation has played a part in his suggestion that he will not mirror the likes of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton by driving into his forties.

Verstappen was later asked about his relationship with Lando Norris, the McLaren driver, after their battles last season, which resulted in penalties for the world champion’s more aggressive driving style. “It [the relationship] is terrible,” Verstappen, who is friends with Norris away from the track, said. “We don’t get on any more. It has taken its toll. Big drama.”

Verstappen and Norris. Photo: Getty Images

Norris joked: “We had a fight the other day in the local pub.”

Verstappen said: “We got escorted [out]. I always say you should see the other guy, but actually he looks good.”

Norris then answered the question in a more serious manner, stressing that he had respect for his rival and that he expects other drivers to join the title battle this season. Who they may be is little clearer midway through day two of testing, given rain disrupted running yesterday (Thursday) morning. The unseasonal conditions have surprised teams, with only Aston Martin and Haas using wet-weather tyres. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was fastest in the morning session with a lap of 1min 29.379sec.

Verstappen in action on track at F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit. Photo: Getty Images

Carlos Sainz produced the fastest lap, with an effort of 1:29.348 in his Williams. The former Ferrari driver drove a mammoth 127 laps. Sainz and his new team-mate Albon have gelled well in pre-season, and have made the decision to focus on pooling their insights, rather than keeping them closely guarded, to help accelerate the development of the team who finished second from bottom in the constructors’ standings in 2024.

Originally published as F1 world champ Max Verstappen taunts media with sarcasm and fight claims with Lando Norris