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F1 champion Max Verstappen tells Lando Norris why he’s failing to keep up with Oscar Piastri in McLaren title race

Norris took aim at Verstappen after his Miami GP antics

MAX VERSTAPPEN has weighed in on the struggles of title rival Lando Norris compared to his McLaren team-mate so far this season.

The Brit was favourite to end Verstappen's four-year winning streak, but so far he has been pipped by the less experienced Oscar Piastri.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Cristopher Ponso/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15306475i) the fourth time world champion Max Verstappen (RedBull Oracle F1 Team) arrived at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari(Imola,BO) on Saturday,September 17th F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2025, Imola, Bo, Italy - 17 May 2025
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Max Verstappen has offered some words to title rival Lando Norris
McLaren's Lando Norris before free practice 3 at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, commonly known as Imola. Picture date: Saturday May 17, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story AUTO Emilia Romagna. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
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The Dutchman told Norris to find some consistency or risk missing out on the title to Piastri

Norris, 25, won the first race of the year in Melbourne to underline why he was the bookies' top billing in the lightning quick MCL39.

But he has yet to take another Grand Prix victory since, with Piastri winning four of the last five rounds to move 16 points ahead in the standings.

And Verstappen has offered some words of wisdom for Norris ahead of this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The four-time world champ, 27, told "Honestly, I think both of them are very good.

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"Lando, I think, has the pace. It just hasn't really come out yet over a sustained period of time.

"But I think it's still going to be a tight championship for them. I don't know where I'm going to be.

"I'm just trying to maximise every result. At the end of the day, we can't rely on them to make mistakes. It has to come from us."

The Dutchman made it clear he thinks Norris, whom he beat to the title by 63 points last year, has to find more consistency.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Cristopher Ponso/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15302741av) The Championship leader Oscar Piastri(mclaren F1 team)on his way to press conference at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari(Imola,BO) on Thursday,September 15th F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2025, Imola, Bo, Italy - 15 May 2025
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Aussie Piastri has enjoyed a breakthrough leading role this season

Verstappen is the only other driver to have managed a race win so far in 2025, coming at Suzuka's narrow track after qualifying on pole.

And the Red Bull star remains within touching distance with the McLarens, despite the obvious troubles with the RB21 this term.

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The best driver of his generation has been more consistent, particularly in qualifying, than Norris - who has the quicker car.

After starting on pole, Verstappen failed to make it to the podium last time out at the Miami Grand Prix, after burning up his tyres in a pointless defensive battle with the McLarens.

Afterwards, Norris said: "He's fighting hard, but it's up to him to do that. He's ruining his own race. He's not racing very smart."

Verstappen, who seems to have softened after becoming a first-time dad this month, refused to respond to the Brit's jab.

Qualifying and pit strategy will be crucial again at Imola, as the more traditionally narrow track makes overtaking harder.

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