Norris Criticises Verstappen’s Race Approach After Intense Miami GP Battle
McLaren’s Lando Norris has openly criticised Max Verstappen’s aggressive racing style following their on-track clashes during a dramatic Miami Grand Prix, suggesting the reigning world champion is compromising his own race results.
Starting from pole, Verstappen came under early pressure from both McLaren drivers. The Dutchman’s robust defense saw Norris forced wide at Turn 1, costing the Brit several positions and opening the door for Oscar Piastri to climb into second.
Verstappen’s day began to unravel shortly after, when a lock-up at Turn 1 allowed Piastri to seize the lead—one he would never relinquish. As the race unfolded, Norris clawed his way back through the field, eventually overtaking Verstappen after another tense exchange.
Reflecting on their battles, Norris didn’t hold back. “He’s fighting hard, which is fair,” Norris said. “But he’s not racing smart. He’s ruining his own race. He could’ve easily finished on the podium, but he didn’t because of the way he chose to defend.”
Despite a tough first lap that saw him drop to sixth, Norris managed to recover to finish second behind teammate Piastri. He acknowledged the strength of the McLaren package but implied Verstappen’s approach made things unnecessarily difficult for both.
“I had to fight through quite a bit—past the Mercedes, past the Williams, and then Max,” Norris added. “The car was strong, which helped, but it wasn’t an easy race.”
The events in Miami once again raised questions about Formula 1’s updated driving standards, which now permit the driver on the inside line to run competitors wide, provided they remain within track limits themselves. The regulation, though designed to clarify racing conduct, appears to be sparking as much controversy as clarity.
As for Verstappen, he defended his approach, stating he was simply racing hard and trying to make the most of his position. But Norris remains firm in his belief: “We could’ve had a 1-2 finish, but Max made it harder than it needed to be.”
