The 2025 Belgium Grand Prix, held in the iconic Spa-Francorchamp Circuit, was not only a race marked by rain and strategies, but also by a verbal crossing that has lit the social networks and holders of Formula 1. Land Red Bull world tetrampone, after the race. With a blunt phrase, Norris said: “He is not at my level!”, Referring to the performance of Verstappen in a weekend where the climatic conditions and decisions of the FIA played a determining role. However, Verstappen’s response, with only 17 words, not only silenced the British, but also won the unanimous applause of fans and experts.
The context of this controversy goes back to a complicated weekend in Spa. The rain, a regular protagonist in this circuit, forced the FIA to delay the start of the Grand Prix for more than an hour, a decision that generated criticism, especially of Verstappen, who expressed his frustration for not being able to run into rain conditions. According to the Dutch, the track was ready to compete much earlier, and waiting for it ruined what could have been a classic race in the rain. “I could have started an hour earlier. It didn’t even rain. With two laps behind the security car, the track would have been ready,” Verstappen said in statements to Sky Sports after the race.
For his part, Norris, who had achieved Pole position on Saturday, could not capitalize on his advantage in the main race. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, surpassed him in the start, taking advantage of an error of the British at the released exit. Piastri dominated the race from beginning to end, ensuring a 1-2 for McLaren, while Norris made up the second place. Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, completed the podium, leaving Verstappen in a frustrating fourth position. The race, which began in wet but ended dry, tested the strategies of the equipment, and Red Bull, which had adjusted the Verstappen car for rain conditions, was harmed by the rapid improvement of the weather.
It was in this scenario where Norris launched his incendiary comment. In a post-carrera interview, the British pilot expressed his confidence in his performance and signed up directly to Verstappen, suggesting that the Dutch was not up to the level of his level in Spa. “He is not at my level!” Said Norris, generating a stir in the media and among the fans. The statement, loaded with boldness, seemed to reflect the growing rivalry between McLaren and Verstappen pilots, who, despite his undisputed talent, faces a complicated 2025 season, with McLaren dominating the championship.
However, Verstappen did not remain silent. In an answer that combined precision and acuity, the world tetrampone replied: “If you cannot handle the pressure, do not make comments that you cannot support.” These 17 words, pronounced with the calm of Verstappen, were a direct blow that left Norris without response. Fans on social networks, especially on platforms like Facebook, soon reacting, praising the ability of the Dutch to close the debate with a phrase as simple as effective. Verstappen’s replica went viral, and many highlighted their ability to maintain the composure while putting the young McLaren pilot.
The controversy between Norris and Verstappen is not only a verbal confrontation, but a reflection of the intense battle for the championship. With PIASTRI leading the classification with 266 points, followed closely by Norris with 250, Verstappen is in a third position with 185 points. The advantage of McLaren in the Construction Championship and the consistency of its pilots have put Red Bull under pressure, especially after the dismissal of Christian Horner and the arrival of Laurent Mekies as the new team leader. Verstappen, who has expressed his support for Mekies, has also talked about the importance of learning this season to prepare the regulatory changes of 2026.
The Belgium Grand Prix also stood out for other memorable moments. Lewis Hamilton’s comeback from the bottom of the grill to the seventh place was one of the high points, with the British being chosen as the pilot of the day by the fans. On the other hand, pilots such as Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz had a weekend to forget, ending in positions 17 and 18 respectively, reflecting the difficulties of Aston Martin and Williams in the current season.
Norris’s criticism to Verstappen and the response of the Dutch have added one more chapter to the narrative of Formula 1 in 2025, a season that combines action on the track with tensions outside it. The rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull, and between Norris and Verstappen in particular, promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats in the next races. The next appointment, the Hungary Grand Prix, will be crucial to determine if Norris can support his words with results or if Verstappen will recover the lost terrain.
In a sport where speed and strategy are key, words also have a significant weight. Norris’s phrase, although bold, found an answer that resonated throughout the world of formula 1. Verstappen, with his replica, showed that he is not only a teacher behind the wheel, but also in the art of the word. While fans expect the next confrontation on the track, social networks will continue to be the scenario where these verbal battles capture the imagination of millions.
