Lando Norris joked that a child who claimed Max Verstappen is faster than him "should be in bed" in an expletive-laden video. Norris and Verstappen battled it out in a tight drivers' championship chase in 2024, with the Dutchman eventually coming out on top. McLaren driver Norris won three of the last 10 grands prix of the season, though, to keep his rival honest.
The 2025 season gets underway in March, with Verstappen gaining a new Red Bull team-mate in the form of Liam Lawson. Norris will partner Oscar Piastri once more, with McLaren defending their constructors' title. Ahead of the new campaign, the barbs have begun to fly. Norris' complaints after hearing the youngster back Verstappen over him were very much tongue-in-cheek, but it will be interesting to see how the FIA reacts given the new rules on swearing.
Norris' reaction came on a Twitch stream, footage from which has been shared on TikTok. The child is asked who he considers the fastest F1 driver, and gives a defiant answer of "Max Verstappen". "What the f*** did he just say?" is Norris' joking reply. "What the f*** did he just say? Get him off the microphone now. It's f***ing bedtime, it's bedtime. Why the f*** is he not in bed? That's bad parenting.".
The comments might have been in jest, but Norris could still run the risk of punishment as the FIA doubles down on swearing rules. Verstappen himself was handed a community service-style penalty after swearing on mic last season, but things could be worse for his rival.
