Lando Norris has challenged Max Verstappen’s criticism of Formula 1’s new energy-management regulations.
The reigning world champion believes skilled drivers can still find ways to gain an advantage despite the changes.
Verstappen has admitted he is becoming “fed up” with repeatedly discussing the controversial regulations.
August 17, (THEWILL) — Lando Norris has fired back at Max Verstappen’s criticism of Formula 1’s new regulations, insisting that a better driver can still find ways to make the difference on track.
Formula 1 returns this weekend after a near four-week summer break, with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort set to provide the backdrop for the next chapter of an increasingly competitive 2026 season.
One of the major talking points ahead of the race has been the sport’s new technical regulations, particularly the changes to how power units manage electrical energy.
Verstappen has been one of the most outspoken critics of the new system throughout the season.
The four-time world champion has argued that the regulations can restrict a driver’s ability to influence a race because the car automatically determines when it should harvest, save and deploy its limited battery energy.
After the Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen explained that there were situations where drivers could not simply push harder to gain an advantage because doing so could leave them vulnerable on the following straight.
“Sometimes you cannot make a difference”, Verstappen said.
“You’re not allowed to make a difference because it will just penalise you on the next straight.”
However, Norris does not completely agree with his rival’s assessment.
Asked about Verstappen’s concerns ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Norris argued that driver skill remains an important factor under the new regulations.
The McLaren driver pointed to corners as areas where a driver can still find an advantage, even if some opportunities have become more limited compared with previous seasons.
“There are obviously some corners that get a bit more eliminated”, Norris explained, using the Pouhon section at Spa-Francorchamps as an example.
According to Norris, certain corners no longer provide the same opportunity for a driver to gain time over a rival as they did under the previous regulations.
But he believes the difference between drivers has not disappeared.
“If you’re a better driver, there are still corners to try and gain an advantage on everyone”, Norris said.
His comments represent a notable counterpoint to Verstappen’s repeated criticism of the 2026 rules, particularly given the intense rivalry between the two drivers.
Norris also argued that driver performance can still be decisive at high-speed circuits such as Silverstone and Spa.
He acknowledged that there are fewer corners at some of those tracks where drivers can gain significant amounts of lap time, but maintained that a driver performing at a higher level can still make the difference.
The McLaren star did, however, concede that the new generation of cars has forced drivers to adapt.
Battery management has become a more significant part of a driver’s workload, while tyre behaviour has also changed.
Norris explained that drivers sometimes need to adopt different techniques to protect or assist the battery, while certain driving styles can work better under the new regulations.
He also stressed that every car behaves differently, meaning his experience with McLaren cannot necessarily be applied to every team on the grid.
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Verstappen Admits He Is ‘Fed Up’
Norris’ comments come at a time when Verstappen appears increasingly frustrated with the ongoing debate surrounding Formula 1’s regulations.
The Red Bull driver said he had been warning about the changes for some time and was initially dismissed by critics who accused him of complaining.
Verstappen believes more people have since started to recognise some of the problems he identified earlier in the season.
The Dutchman insists his concerns are not simply connected to his own results or the fact that the new rules may have affected his dominance.
Instead, he says he is speaking because he cares about the quality of Formula 1 and where the sport is heading.
However, Verstappen admitted that he is tired of having to repeatedly explain his position.
“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”, he said.
His frustration has also added fuel to speculation over his long-term future in Formula 1.
Verstappen has previously hinted that the direction of the sport could eventually influence whether he continues racing, although no decision about his future has been confirmed.
Rivalry Heads to Zandvoort
The contrasting views of Norris and Verstappen add another layer to a rivalry that has become one of the defining storylines of the modern Formula 1 era.
While Verstappen believes the regulations can limit a driver’s ability to make a difference, Norris maintains that the best drivers will always find opportunities to extract more performance from a car.
That argument will now be tested once the championship resumes at Zandvoort.
Verstappen will have the advantage of racing in front of his home supporters, while Norris will be looking to demonstrate that his confidence in driver skill is justified when the lights go out.
The Dutch Grand Prix is scheduled to begin at 2 pm BST on Sunday, with both drivers facing another opportunity to prove their point on the track rather than in the media room.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
