Verstappen Recalls Norris's 'Idiot' Comment from Monza Incident

Verstappen Recalls Norris's 'Idiot' Comment

Max Verstappen recently revealed he still remembers F1 rival Lando Norris calling him an "idiot." This memory resurfaced during a sim racing session where a friend used the same term, prompting Verstappen to react to being called an "idiot" too frequently.

Why it matters: This interaction highlights the enduring competitive tension and memorable incidents between top F1 drivers. It also offers a glimpse into how past on-track rivalries can be playfully, or perhaps genuinely, recalled.

The context:

• During a recent sim racing session, Verstappen found himself in a tight spot surrounded by other virtual cars.
• A fellow sim racer and friend called him an "idiot" in response to the situation.
• Verstappen quickly responded, stating the comment was "too quick to jump" and "not nice," adding that he had been called an "idiot" "too often recently."

The Monza incident:

• The specific incident Verstappen was referring to occurred during the start of the Monza GP.
• At the lights out, Lando Norris, driving for McLaren, had a good run on Verstappen and took the inside line.
• As the main straight narrowed, Norris's McLaren went two wheels onto the grass.
• This prompted Norris to voice his frustration over the team radio, exclaiming: "What's this idiot doing, come on! He's put me in the grass and then he's just cut the corner!"

The race outcome:

• Red Bull Racing's pit wall agreed that Verstappen had cut the corner and instructed him to give the position back to Norris.
• Despite the initial incident and the lost position, Verstappen quickly regained control of the race.
• Following a crucial Saturday setup change, Red Bull demonstrated superior pace at Monza that Sunday afternoon.
• Verstappen ultimately crossed the finish line over 19 seconds ahead of Norris, securing his third win in a season where McLaren had otherwise shown strong performance.