McLaren's Lando Norris achieved his lifelong dream last year when he became the Formula 1 Drivers' World Champion. Beating Max Verstappen by 3 points, the British driver silenced his doubters (and haters) by reaching the pinnacle of motorsport.
During a recent interview with The Guardian, Norris touched on his struggles with mental health and seemed poised to share some insights into what has been a challenging start to the 2026 season for McLaren.
However, surrounded by a manager and an unnamed representative, Norris was barred from discussing the controversial regulation changes and, for some reason, his current relationship with fellow F1 drivers Max Verstappen and George Russell.
Given his high profile, anything Norris says is scrutinised, including previous remarks about Verstappen's threat of retirement. He largely seemed to backtrack on that, of course, when it became apparent the Dutchman was right about the issues with this year's cars.
The interview was supposed to be about the Laureus Award, so it's possible Norris' team wanted to keep the spotlight on that.
However, the excerpt you'll read below makes for uncomfortable reading and, unfortunately, diminishes Norris' role as someone who can speak for the sport he's now the World Champion of.
With 10 minutes left of the interview I ask about the regulations. Norris’s manager is not with us in person but a phone has been placed on the table. His disembodied voice suddenly crackles from it and stresses that there can be no questions about this subject; his sole interjection during the interview.
I turn to Norris and underline the importance of the issue. A young representative of the management team in the room with us steps closer to say: 'We’re done with time.' I ask Norris if he can spare the additional 10 minutes I’d been promised. He looks embarrassed and says: 'I’m not the boss.'
Norris is the world champion and his management company work for him and, when I protest this, he says: 'That’s fine. I’m happy to answer that question.'
'No,' says the representative in the room. Norris smiles awkwardly as he again says: 'I’m not the boss.'
This muzzling of Norris is at odds with his open nature and the fact that McLaren allow him to be available for uncensored media engagements every race week. We discuss a few other subjects including the fact that the next grand prix is a week on Sunday in Miami – where Norris recorded his emotional first F1 victory in 2024. But is it possible to catch Mercedes this season?
'We’re done with time,' the management representative in the room says. I ask Norris why even such a mild question can’t be addressed. 'No, we’re not answering that,' the man adds. Even Norris looks exasperated as he turns to him and asks: 'Why? Say yes.'
In the end, Norris decides to answer the bland query anyway: 'Yes [Mercedes] can [be caught] and we’re doing our best to make sure it’ll be us who do that.'
Will Verstappen quit F1? It’s a legitimate question but there is laughter from the managerial camp. 'I’ve no idea,' Norris says. 'Max can do whatever he likes.' I say it seems like Norris can’t do the same which is crazy when he is obviously intelligent.
His representative approaches us, goes into overdrive and, still laughing, says, as if talking on behalf of Norris: 'He’s an amazing guy. Max is the best person ever and we love him. Quote.'