Lando Norris fires back at Max Verstappen as message sent to FIA ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix

Lando Norris has rejected claims Max Verstappen made about McLaren's car ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Norris, 25, has enjoyed a decent start to the 2025 F1 season, having finished in the top two in each of the first three races – including a victory at the Australian Grand Prix.

However, the Englishman finished second behind Red Bull’s Verstappen at last Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

Verstappen, 27, claimed that he would've been out of sight if he had been driving McLaren’s car.

"I'm very happy with what I'm doing," Verstappen told Dutch TV station ViaPlay. "I don't even want to think about if I'd been in that other car [McLaren]. Then you wouldn't have seen me!"

Now, Norris has responded to Verstappen’s claims and even suggested that his F1 rival tests the MCL39 used by him and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.

"I don’t mind, he can say what he wants," Norris told media in Bahrain.

"I don’t care, honestly. Everyone can say what they want and believe what they want.

“I believe both Oscar and myself are good drivers. He is maybe better at some things but he is not better in every area.

“I have a lot of respect for Max but I also know some things are not true, he can come and test our car any day that he wants and I’ll be excited to see the disappointment on his face after he gets out."

Although the 25-year-old did admit that McLaren’s car was “quick”.

“It’s been a good start, I’m still leading," he added. "Could things have been slightly better, yes, but they’re not.

“Max and Red Bull have done a good job with a car they say they’ve been struggling with. But in the same case we know our struggles, we know how tricky our car is to drive.

“It’s quick, and we acknowledge all of these things and the stuff people say, but we’ve also made some mistakes and we know we have to improve in certain areas.”

Max Verstappen on FIA rules

Ahead of the F1 season, new rear wing rules were introduced by the FIA, which have been further altered throughout the course of the season.

At last Sunday's race, McLaren's rear wings seemed to be considerably more flexible than those on Red Bull's car.

Footage emerged appearing to show McLaren’s rear wing deflecting more than Red Bull’s on the straights, which many have suggested gives the British team an advantage - Max's father Jos posted a video to his X page earlier this week.

So what are the requirements regarding rear wings?

According to Motorsport.com, "the margin was only allowed to be 0.5 millimeters, where it was previously 2 millimeters. For Shanghai, an additional leeway of 0.25 millimeters was allowed, but in Suzuka everyone had to comply with the prescribed 0.50 millimeters".

So, McLaren complied and the rear wing in question was found to be legal.

Now, Max has given his thoughts on the situation.

"I don't make the rules," said Verstappen in Bahrain. "And I don't have to enforce those rules either. What I see, a lot of people probably see, but that's it. I know what's happening, but I only focus on our own car. That's all I can do."

"If it is allowed, then yes, right?" he added. "Everyone always looks for the limits and then it is up to the FIA ​​to determine what is and is not allowed."