Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has cautioned Lando Norris to avoid a “paranoid” mindset when challenging Max Verstappen. With past and recent clashes—including a near-collision at the Miami Grand Prix—the McLaren driver finds himself repeatedly under scrutiny for his aggressive approach. Steiner urges Norris to remain steadfast in his self-belief and not be swayed by public criticism or media noise.
Reflecting on his Miami performance, Norris voiced frustration over the double standards he faces: criticized whether he attacks or holds back. Steiner, emphasizing emotional discipline, told the Red Flag podcast that Norris should concentrate solely on his instincts and racecraft, blocking out the background chatter from critics and spectators alike. Such external voices, Steiner implied, often distort a driver’s natural rhythm.
Former driver and commentator Martin Brundle has noted a disparity in Verstappen’s approach to battling Norris compared to his interactions with Oscar Piastri. Steiner echoed the sentiment that a change in Norris’s posture might provoke an on-track incident with Verstappen, but he framed this as a necessary evolution—possibly even an inevitable one—if Norris is to truly assert himself.
Steiner stressed that while public discourse is inevitable in motorsport, a driver’s focus should remain unswervingly internal. “Freedom of speech doesn’t mean you need to internalize everything,” he said. He criticized Norris’s hesitance, describing him as “shy” when faced with the opportunity to impose his presence during high-stakes wheel-to-wheel battles.
Ultimately, Steiner advises Norris to adopt a mindset that prioritizes authentic racing, even if it risks occasional contact. He warned against overthinking or attempting to ‘take out’ Verstappen deliberately, but affirmed that the occasional crash, if driven by pure competition and not retaliation, is part of a racer’s growth. The message is clear: confidence and self-definition are paramount in the elite tiers of Formula 1.