April 8, 2025 – by GP Thread
Lando Norris had a playful response to Max Verstappen’s post-race claim that he would’ve dominated the Japanese Grand Prix even more convincingly — if he had been driving a McLaren.
Verstappen took a commanding win in Suzuka, finishing just ahead of Norris and Oscar Piastri, who kept the Red Bull driver within three seconds for most of the race. Still, Verstappen suggested that if he had been in a McLaren, the race wouldn’t have even been close.
“I don’t even want to think about what would’ve happened if I’d been in that car,” Verstappen said after the race. “You probably wouldn’t have seen me.”
Norris: “He’s Welcome to Try It”
Speaking to ESPN a week later, Norris was quick to hit back — with a touch of dry British humor.
“He’s welcome to try our car anytime,” Norris said. “I’m actually looking forward to the disappointment on his face when he gets out.”
The McLaren driver clearly doesn’t buy into the idea that the MCL39 is the superior machine. While McLaren has been strong in the early part of the season, Norris believes Verstappen’s win in Japan had more to do with the Dutchman’s talent than a big performance gap between the two teams.
Verstappen Stands by His Words
Verstappen, for his part, didn’t backtrack.
“I wasn’t joking,” the four-time world champion said. “Someone asked what I could’ve done in another car. I just gave an honest answer.”
Still, he acknowledged that the conversation is all hypothetical.
“It’s not going to happen anyway, so there’s no point speculating. I’m focused on working with my team to keep improving our own car.”
A little friendly fire between two of F1’s brightest stars — and with both McLaren and Red Bull fighting at the front, fans can expect plenty more back-and-forth on and off track this season.