Verstappen mocks Norris as McLaren tighten media access

(GMM) Championship tension bristled in Abu Dhabi on Thursday as McLaren quietly restricted both of its drivers from any non-mandatory media duties – a move interpreted by many as an attempt to shield Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from an increasingly conspiracy-filled paddock.

Norris, asked in the official FIA press conference whether losing the title on Sunday would change his life, insisted it would not.

But Max Verstappen couldn’t resist a jab when he met up with the Dutch media later on.

“It’s always better than not winning,” he joked. Then, more pointedly: “If you’re sitting at home in twenty years, you’ll still have that trophy on your shelf. That’s still better than not having the trophy.”

The contrast could not be starker – Norris nervy, Piastri irritated when asked about possible team orders – “I’ll wait to see what’s expected of me” – while Verstappen projects total freedom and zero pressure.

It reflects persistent chatter that McLaren’s attempt to present perfect equality between its drivers has backfired. Norris admitted it himself when recently asked why he expects boos if he wins the championship – because McLaren have “controlled” the situation as best as possible.

“It’s not what people want. People want chaos.”

Ralf Schumacher told Sky Deutschland that he suspects the team’s recent strategic collapses – Vegas, Qatar – could now follow them to Abu Dhabi.

“I can’t shake the feeling that the McLarens are getting in each other’s way and Max will become world champion. I don’t know why,” he said.

Schumacher even warned of the nightmare scenario. “If McLaren doesn’t manage to finally issue clear team orders in the last race, preferably after qualifying, then I’m almost afraid that the two cars will somehow collide on the track and Max will still become world champion because both McLarens will retire.”

Zak Brown earlier suggested he would rather see Verstappen win the title than a McLaren driver win it under accusations of favoritism.

Ex-driver Christian Danner thinks that stance is ludicrous.

“It can’t be that you rebuild the team for years, finally have a car that works, two drivers that are really good, and then you say ‘Well, we’re not going to be drivers’ champion,'” he told motorsport-magazin.com.

Danner believes that when it matters, McLaren will impose team orders.

“If there is a situation that make a difference between one of the two becomes world champion or neither, then I have faith there’s a special clause to the Papaya Rules,” he said.

He also hinted that McLaren’s infamous Qatar pit blunder may not have been purely accidental.

“Those two points make a relatively big difference,” he argued. “Before that, purely theoretically, a third place was not enough for Norris if Max wins in Abu Dhabi.”

Danner, however, dismissed any idea of Prost-Senna or Schumacher-Villeneuve-style sabotage.

“There will be no nasty tricks. Those times are over.”

Carlos Sainz, a friend of Norris’, believes the Briton’s 12-point lead and track record at Yas Marina make him the natural favorite.

“I think it’s a Lando circuit,” said the Spaniard. “Arriving here with a McLaren could help him close out the championship.”

But Nico Hulkenberg warned that Verstappen cannot be discounted.

“Max is on such a good run, he hasn’t made a single mistake – pressure isn’t a problem for him. And he has nothing to lose, he can only gain.”

The Sauber driver added with a grin that he’ll be watching the finale on the trackside megascreens.

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In the lead-up to the 2025 Formula 1 season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, McLaren CEO Zak Brown compared Max Verstappen to a persistent “horror movie” villain who keeps coming back, despite Red Bull’s earlier struggles. This remark came after Verstappen’s unexpected victory at the Qatar Grand Prix, where he capitalized on a McLaren strategy error to close the championship gap to 12 points behind leader Lando Norris, setting up a dramatic three-way title fight involving Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Verstappen.

During the post-race press conference in Qatar on November 30, 2025, Verstappen was asked if Brown’s comments suggested he was “in McLaren’s heads” and contributing to their mistakes. He responded with humor, embracing the nickname:

“He can call me Chucky. Is that short enough for you? I don’t know. I saw it as well. I thought it was quite funny. From my side, I just focus on myself. I know that when I go in the car, I just try to do the best – like, I guess, everyone does. But, yeah, that’s the only thing I can control, right? And that’s the only thing I focus on.”

The reference is to Chucky, the indestructible doll antagonist from the *Child’s Play* horror franchise, symbolizing Verstappen’s resilient comeback in the title race. He reiterated a similar quip in other interviews, such as: “You can call me Chucky!”

This exchange added a playful psychological edge to the rivalry ahead of Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen entered as the underdog but optimistic about potential chaos.