Lando Norris has been warned to stay alert as tensions with Max Verstappen reignite ahead of the next Formula 1 round. The McLaren driver, who trails teammate Oscar Piastri by 22 points in the standings, reportedly frustrated Verstappen during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix. With Verstappen now a distant contender in the championship, some believe he could still play a decisive role — possibly as a spoiler in McLaren’s internal title fight.
During the Singapore qualifying session, Verstappen and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase grew visibly irritated when Norris, who was on his way to the pits, disrupted the Red Bull’s flying lap. Verstappen narrowly missed pole position to George Russell by just 0.182 seconds, prompting Lambiase to sarcastically remark, “You can thank your mate for that.” The incident fueled speculation that Verstappen won’t forget the moment anytime soon.
Following the session, Verstappen issued what many interpreted as a subtle warning, telling reporters, “That’s noted. It will be remembered as well.” Although he didn’t mention Norris by name, the pointed remark left little doubt about whom he was referring to. The exchange added another layer of intrigue to the final stretch of the season, especially with Norris battling not only his teammate but also Verstappen’s potential interference.
For Norris, who has been one of McLaren’s strongest performers this season, the challenge now extends beyond the title race itself. Managing relationships with rivals like Verstappen could prove just as crucial as managing race pace. The McLaren camp has so far downplayed the tension, insisting that both drivers are focused on maximizing their results heading into Austin.
Still, Verstappen’s reputation for holding grudges has left many in the paddock wary. As Formula 1 heads into the U.S. Grand Prix weekend, all eyes will be on how Verstappen and Norris interact on track. Whether the Dutchman chooses to make a statement or simply race hard, the message from Singapore remains clear — Lando Norris has been warned.
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