Lando Norris had a lighthearted yet assertive response after Max Verstappen subtly mocked him and the FIA during a charity sim racing event. Verstappen, competing for Team Redline in the Race for Mental Health, drove a car featuring a fan-designed livery that included cheeky references to Norris and recent FIA decisions. The livery showed an image of Norris running wide at Turn 1 during the Brazilian Grand Prix, captioned with Think Different – a nod to an iconic Apple slogan, adding humor to their intense on-track rivalry. It also depicted a 10-second penalty notification, alluding to Verstappen’s own recent penalties at the Mexican Grand Prix.

When asked about Verstappen’s playful jab, Norris reacted with good humor but made it clear he wasn’t fazed. “Honestly, Max can have his fun,” Norris remarked. “I’m here to compete on the track, not in a sim. If anything, it shows we’re in his head a bit.”

Norris has been Verstappen’s closest competitor this season, currently trailing by 62 points with just three races left in the championship. Their rivalry has intensified with several close battles, adding extra spice to Verstappen’s lighthearted jabs off the track.

Despite the banter, Norris showed respect for the event’s cause, acknowledging the importance of the sim race. “Racing for mental health awareness is a fantastic initiative, and it’s great to see the community come together for such a cause. We may be rivals, but we all support each other in raising awareness,” Norris added.