Lando Norris interview turns sour as agent steps in to block question

Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris was reportedly prevented from discussing Max Verstappen, George Russell and F1 regulations during a Guardian interview by his management team

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Lando Norris’ management are said to have stopped the world champion talking about certain topics(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Lando Norris’ management team reportedly vetoed questions about Formula 1 regulations, George Russell and Max Verstappen during a recent interview with The Guardian. The reigning world champion is nonetheless said to have addressed some of the queries, despite being repeatedly warned off by one of his representatives in the room.

That included one regarding whether McLaren could close the gap to Mercedes this season. Norris, 26, is represented by ADD Management, according to their website.

They also handle Formula E drivers Jake Dennis and Zane Maloney. Their clients include Ugo Ugochukwu, too, who competes in Formula 3 and drove for McLaren.

Former kart racer Fraser Sheader established the company and remains a director, alongside Mark Berryman, a one-time karting mechanic and team owner who was by Norris’s side throughout that chapter of the future F1 driver’s career. Donald McRae does not identify either individual in the piece about his interview with Norris.

However, he reveals that the driver pushed back and asked, “Why?” after being told, “No, we’re not answering that,” concerning Mercedes.

He reportedly instructed his representative, “Say yes,” before ultimately responding, “Yes, they can [be caught], and we’re doing our best to make sure it’ll be [McLaren] who do that.”

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Lando Norris speaks openly during Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Norris’ management are said to have laughed off a question regarding Verstappen leaving the sport. The interviewer claimed to have received a message hours before the interview stating that his management did not want their client discussing his friendship and rivalry with Russell and Verstappen, as well as the new regulations.

Norris, however, reportedly addressed Verstappen’s future. He said: “I’ve no idea, Max can do whatever he likes.”

McRae claims his representative said, apparently speaking on the driver’s behalf. They reputedly said of the four-time champion: “He’s an amazing guy. Max is the best person ever, and we love him. Quote.”

Upon being told “no” on another occasion regarding the new regulations, he reportedly responded, smiling awkwardly, “I’m not the boss.” Norris, however, has previously spoken on numerous occasions about the F1 rules.

He spoke to McLaren about them at a recent Pirelli tyre test. Norris said: “It’s not the car I’m struggling with, it’s the bit behind us that I’m not enjoying as much – the power unit regulations.

“I had a scenario in Japan where the battery deployment triggered, even though I didn’t really want it to, and I had to overtake Lewis [Hamilton] as a result. That meant I was then a sitting duck on the next straight, where I had actually wanted to use the battery.

“For me, that’s taking too much control away from the driver, but I know that the FIA and all the stakeholders of the sport are looking into it: there has been good dialogue with the FIA on this topic, so I am confident that something will be done for when we go racing in Miami again.”