Following Max Verstappen’s criticism: Lando Norris (McLaren) disagrees

Are today’s Formula 1 drivers still worth as much as they used to be? Max Verstappen made it crystal clear during the two World Championship races in Belgium and Hungary – no.

The 28-year-old Dutchman explains it like this: with modern power units, a driver has too little control over how the power is delivered. “Back in the day,” Max said, “a driver could make a difference in fast corners by pushing closer to the limit. Nowadays, you tend to be penalised for that sort of driving style because you have to build up energy on the straights beforehand. If you don’t, it comes back to haunt you later in the lap because you run out of juice.”

So is the driver really too dominated by energy management these days? McLaren ace Lando Norris does not share this view.

The 2025 Formula 1 champion had this to say on the subject: “It’s true that some corners have lost a bit of their appeal. I’m thinking of the Pouhon section in Belgium, which used to be taken at almost full throttle; there, you could make up time with a bit more skill and guts. But I stand by my opinion – an above-average driver still stands out, even now, with the new cars.”

“We see on circuits like the Hungaroring, where energy management is less tricky, that a good driver can still make a difference.”

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“To manage the electrical energy effectively, you just have to adapt a little. I think the drivers are under more pressure than before. And amidst all this, we mustn’t forget how to manage the tyres. The characteristics of the 2026 tyres are such that you can’t attack as recklessly as you used to. But of course I can only speak from the perspective of our car. I don’t know how it feels in other Formula 1 cars.»

“At the end of the day, we simply have to drive differently to how we used to, but facing up to this challenge and adapting is simply part of our job.”