Lando Norris hits back at Max Verstappen with brutal 'better driver' claim

Lando Norris has criticised Max Verstappen's about F1's new power unit energy algorithms with a brutal comment.

After a long summer break lasting just under four weeks, the Formula One season will finally resume this weekend as the Dutch Grand Prix gets under way at the MASCOT Circuit Zandvoort.

Ahead of the 12th race of the 2026 season, much of the discussion has once again centred on the new regulations introduced this year.

Throughout the season, four-time World Drivers' Champion Verstappen has been among the most vocal critics of the new rules, with his latest claim being against the new power unit energy algorithms.

The Dutchman claims that the regulations, which means power units automatically decide when the system should harvest, save and deploy its limited battery, limit the ability of drivers to 'make a difference' during a race.

"Sometimes you cannot make a difference," he said after the Belgian Grand Prix. "You're not allowed to make a difference because it will just penalise you on the next straight."

But reigning champion Norris doesn't agree as, when presented with his rivals comments, he claimed that "better drivers" are still able make the difference through corners.

"There are obviously some corners that get a bit more eliminated, like Pouhon [at Spa], where last year you could maybe get close to doing it flat to someone who doesn't do it flat, and you maybe gain half a tenth," Norris told media ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix.

"Some corners, yeah, maybe it tightens up, but if you're a better driver, there are still corners to try and gain an advantage on everyone, so I wouldn't say I necessarily agree with everything.

"I think if you're driving better, you're still going to be ahead at the very fast tracks like Silverstone and Spa; there are fewer corners at the end of the day that you can gain lap time."

Norris continued: "But on a track like the Hungaroring, I don't think that's true at all. You say it's a chance we need to make more of a difference as a good driver, but it's not even the fact that you get confused [by the algorithms]; it's just sometimes it does random stuff.

"There are certain things you need to try and do at times to try and help the battery; there are certain styles that maybe work a little bit more than previous years, or you need to try and do more than previous years.

"That's obviously more for the battery than simply for the car, I would say, but even the tyres have changed a little bit, and how the characteristic is of the tyres also means there are certain things you cannot be as attacking as in previous years with the car; that's our car.

"But every car is very different, so I can't speak on everyone else's behalf, but there are also a lot of ways that we have to drive this car very differently, unlike last season, but that is our job."

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Max Verstappen 'fed up' with F1 regulations discussions

Norris' comments come as Verstappen admitted he was growing weary of constantly having to discuss the controversial regulation changes after every race.

"I have spoken my mind about these regulations already for a long time. And in the beginning most people were saying, ‘he's complaining, he should shut up,'" Verstappen told the media.

"I have to say that the last few races more and more people are seeing the same thing that I could see coming already a long time.

"It's not about me not winning anymore, it's just because I care about the product because I've said it many, many times. And at one point that's also enough.

“But of course, when people keep asking, well then, yeah, maybe it's not appreciated always."

Throughout the season Verstappen has hinted that these changes could eventually result in him leaving the sport, and his comments ahead of his home race in Zandvoort appear to suggest the same thing.

He added: "At one point, I'm also a little bit just fed up with repeating myself because it's already hard enough just having to drive it."

Lights will go out for the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort at 14:00 BST on Sunday afternoon.