Guenther Steiner has suggested Lando Norris acted unprofessionally by electing to bring a can of Coca-Cola to the cool-down room after the Spanish Grand Prix.
Norris ended last Sunday's race in third place, having once looked to be in a strong position to take a third win in four grands prix.
As the drivers gathered in the cool-down, Norris was told off by a staff member for the can in his hand, prompting a response from the reigning champion.
“I just did a race, so I’m allowed to drink what I would like,” he said. “Thank you so much.”
The matter has been discussed by some ever since, including Steiner, who suggested Norris should have had more awareness of the situation.
"If you are a professional, you don't do that. End of story," Steiner told The Red Flags podcast.
"You know what you can do and what you cannot do. You're well trained. He shouldn't have done it.
“Is it a bad thing that he did it? Will somebody get hurt? No.
“But as a pro, you shouldn't do it. But he has done it. And you know what? I couldn't give a shit!”
'Coca-Cola' laughing over publicity
It has been suggested that the matter became an issue due to Pepsi having an existing sponsorship deal with F1.
When that aspect was put to Steiner, he replied: “It's all going by categories.
“They sell it and obviously if you don't pay, you cannot have it. And he had a Coke. It was not the smartest thing to do.
"But as I said, I don't care because now, for Coca-Cola, it worked out pretty good.
“If they wouldn't have said anything, nobody would have even noticed, but because it was so bumped up now it's a thing, and now Coca-Cola is laughing."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding as they look back on the Spanish GP! The Madring layout and lack of overtaking is a major talking point, as is Lando Norris' cruel victory loss.
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