Lando Norris 'told not to answer questions on Verstappen, Russell' in awkward interview moment

Lando Norris was blocked from answering questions surrounding Max Verstappen, George Russell and the new F1 regulations in a recent interview, it has emerged.

The off-limit topics were enforced by Norris' management team during a discussion with The Guardian.

Norris was one of the most outspoken drivers earlier this year when it came to criticism of the new rules, warning a major crash was on the horizon.

“Depending on what drivers do, you can have closing speeds of 30, 40, 50kph, and when someone hits another driver at that speed, you are going to fly and go over the fence and do a lot of damage to yourself and maybe to others and that is a pretty horrible thing to think about,” he said at the season-opening race from Australia. 

During his recent interview with The Guardian, Norris discussed his 2025 title-winning season and the mental struggles that went hand in hand with the strenuous year.

But towards the end of the article, the author Donald McRae revealed that he had been contacted a handful of hours earlier by Norris' management, who “did not want me to ask about his friendship and rivalry with Max Verstappen and George Russell or about the new F1 regulations”.

The author pushed back on this request, stating asking about the new rules was “essential” - and during the interview, he brought up the subject.

“With 10 minutes left of the interview I ask about the regulations,” wrote McRae. “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.'”

When asked if Norris could spare the remaining time for the interview, Norris seemingly appeared embarrassed and declared: “I’m not the boss.”

Norris reportedly stated that he was “happy to answer that question” before his management shut it down.

After that, he then asked a question about Verstappen's future, to which Norris replied: “Max can do whatever he likes” before the representative in the room approached the duo and said: “He’s an amazing guy. Max is the best person ever and we love him. Quote.”