Lando Norris was the winner of the Laureus Award in the Breakthrough of the Year category after winning his first Formula 1 title in 2025. Shortly after the award ceremony, the Brit participated in an interview with The Guardian newspaper, in which he addressed topics related to his career and the challenge of winning his first world championship.
Read more F1: Massa supports Verstappen and Norris’s criticism of current cars
During the conversation, Norris also recalled the 2025 scenario in which he managed to reverse a 35-point disadvantage against his teammate, Oscar Piastri. Up to this point, journalist Donald McRae, responsible for the interview, described that the beginning of the dialogue occurred without restrictions, with the McLaren driver answering all questions.
However, near the end of the interview, McRae stated that he began to face limitations imposed by Norris’s team. He had already been warned that he could not address topics such as his relationship with Max Verstappen and George Russell, nor discuss the new regulations implemented in 2026. McRae reported that he tried to argue about the importance of these topics, but ended up proceeding and decided to leave the questions considered more delicate for the end.
Read more São Paulo hosts TCR for the main challenge of the year
It was at this moment that the situation became more tense. Even without the physical presence of Norris’s manager, a phone placed on the table was reportedly used for direct intervention. “His voice, disembodied, suddenly crackles on the device and emphasizes that no questions can be asked about the subject; his only intervention during the interview,” McRae recorded.
When questioned about the restrictions, Norris reportedly reacted with a discreet smile and some nervousness, responding: “I’m not the boss.” Immediately afterwards, a younger representative from the press office intervened and declared the interview over, even though the initial forecast was that the time would be extended by another ten minutes. The situation generated significant negative repercussions in the British media, which accused the driver’s manager of trying to “rein in” Norris.
Read more F1: Verstappen returns to track after Nordschleife challenge
