Norris's Sarcastic Rebuttal to Verstappen Comeback Questions

Lando Norris is clearly growing tired of repeated inquiries about Max Verstappen's championship comeback and its potential implications for him. When asked if he was concerned, Norris offered a sarcastic, "Yeah. Very worried about it, and scared, frankly. So yeah, I was happy you asked that, actually… Yeah, no."

Why it matters:

After the Hungarian Grand Prix, many in the F1 community had largely written off Verstappen's chances in the championship. However, in the last four races, Verstappen's worst result has been a P2, alongside two dominant wins. These results have seen him cut Oscar Piastri's 105-point lead down to 63 in just four Grands Prix. With Red Bull showing no signs of being hindered by various track conditions, it's increasingly difficult to dismiss Verstappen from the title fight, leading to persistent questions for his rivals.

The Details:

• Post-Hungarian GP, the F1 consensus was that Verstappen's championship role would diminish.
• However, in the four subsequent races, Verstappen's performance has been formidable:
  • Two P2 finishes (Dutch Grand Prix, Singapore Grand Prix).
  • Two dominant wins (Italy, Azerbaijan).
• This run has reduced Oscar Piastri's championship lead by more than half, from 105 points to 63.
• Red Bull's consistent performance across various track layouts, temperatures, and humidity levels suggests their package remains highly competitive.
• Following his P3 finish in Singapore, ahead of teammate Piastri (P4), Norris was directly asked about Verstappen re-entering the title fight and the potential response from McLaren, specifically if the team might favor Piastri's title bid.
• Norris responded with obvious sarcasm, "I’m very concerned. Yeah. Very worried about it, and scared, frankly. So yeah, I was happy you asked that, actually… Yeah, no."

Between the lines:

Norris's sarcastic response highlights his frustration with repetitive questioning, suggesting he views these inquiries as premature or even baseless given his own strong performance. It also indicates a robust internal dynamic within McLaren, where both drivers are pushing for their own success, rather than immediately deferring to a perceived team leader, despite the tight championship battle. His comments reflect a desire to focus on his racing rather than hypothetical scenarios involving a rival who is still significantly behind in points.

What's next:

With Verstappen closing the gap, albeit still with a significant deficit, the intensity of the championship battle is set to escalate. Norris and Piastri will need to maintain their strong form to fend off the Red Bull challenge. The upcoming races will be crucial in determining whether Verstappen can sustain his charge and if Norris can continue to dismiss these concerns with his performance on track.