David Coulthard backs Lando Norris in Coca-Cola row: 'Stop trying to control everything'

David Coulthard has leapt to Lando Norris's defense after the McLaren driver was told to put down a can of Coca-Cola in the cooldown room at the Spanish Grand Prix, urging F1 to "stop trying to control everything."

Norris, who finished second behind Kimi Antonelli at the Madring, ignored the official as the top three watched race highlights, responding: "I just did a race, so I'm allowed to drink whatever I like."

Why it matters:

The clash pits F1's commercial obligations against driver autonomy. With F1's official partnership with Pepsi — Coca-Cola's biggest rival — the request was likely sponsorship-driven, but Coulthard argues drivers have earned the right to choose what they consume after a Grand Prix.

The details:

• Norris drank a Coke alongside Antonelli and the third-place finisher in the cooldown room.
• An official told him to put it down, prompting Norris's blunt response.
• Steiner's view: Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner called it unprofessional on The Red Flags podcast: "If you are a professional, you don't do that. End of story. You know what you can do and what you cannot do."
• Coulthard's rebuttal: The 13-time Grand Prix winner praised Norris on the Up To Speed podcast: "Well done Lando for sticking his ground. He's earned the right to eat the chocolate bar or drink the fizzy drink, whatever it is. P off and stop trying to control everything."

Between the lines:

Norris's defiance came after two brutal races. The Spanish GP was run in extreme heat with track temperatures in the mid-50s, and it followed an Italian GP where Norris appeared close to collapsing post-race, telling reporters he was "seeing a lot of stars."