Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, 2023 — Photo: © LAT Images

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Norris slammed for 'fear' of Verstappen fight

F1 fans were not impressed with the McLaren driver's reasoning for not moving to Red Bull

Ronan Murphy

Monday 29 January 2024 20:57

Formula 1 fans have questioned Lando Norris' mentality after he admitted that he didn't want to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull.

Norris was one of the names linked with the second Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen, but signed a new contract with McLaren last week to tie his future to the papaya team.

In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Norris admitted that it would not be a 'smart move' to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull.

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“He's in a team that he's very comfortable in, a lot of things are built up around him, so for anyone, even a Max of a few years ago, to go in against the Max of now is extremely difficult," Norris explained.

"So I don't think it's a question of 'are you scared or not scared?' I don't think I'd ever be scared of going against anyone, but even if you enter a team are you in a position to challenge someone straight away and are comfortable to do that?

Norris 'scared to go up against Verstappen'

F1 fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) were not impressed with his reasoning, claiming that despite his protestations, Norris was 'afraid' of joining Red Bull and showing that he could go wheel-to-wheel with the reigning world champion.

Eagled-eyed supporters pointed to previous quotes from Lewis Hamilton where he said he would be happy to race against Verstappen in the same car, while others expressed the opinion that Charles Leclerc would also not back down from the challenge.

What kind of mindset is this?

Lewis Hamilton fought the reining world champion as a rookie, Charles Leclerc raced a world champion at 21. George Russell went up against the best driver in history of F1.

If you don’t want to measure yourself against better drivers how are you… https://t.co/qR3ZkL94Ws
— Stefanie (@fastpitstop) January 27, 2024

Hahaha, he basically admitted he's scared to go up against Max
— dystainak (@dystainak) January 27, 2024

Leclerc wouldn’t be scared of max
— CFRacing (@CFlashRacing) January 27, 2024

How sad of a Life as an F1 driver he must have if his reason to resign with his current is, that he doesn’t want to face the best driver in the world in the same team.
How lucky he was that Alonso retired in 2018, because he wouldn’t have lasted one season against him.
— Patrick (@RacingStorki) January 27, 2024

Explains why he never defends aggressively or attack his mate Max, he is afraid. Nor a world champion mentality Lando
— AJ (@Jamal_JRab) January 27, 2024

Meanwhile Lewis 👍 https://t.co/CG2JKrKnWL pic.twitter.com/0v4X0ekMkr
— Tom Sp8 ㅅ⃝ (@Tom_Speight98) January 27, 2024

I honestly don’t understand this mindset from someone who is supposed to want to get to the top.

To be the best, you have to beat the best. Sitting in the best car gives you the best chance to do just that.

Mind boggling. Just say you want to stay at McLaren. https://t.co/bD0JlaR651
— jack walker (@jack_walker19) January 27, 2024