"Bro just retire already you’re like 103" - Fans react to Helmut Marko calling Lando Norris "mentally weak" in title battle against Max Verstappen

Ahead of the critical part of the F1 season with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris expected to duke it out for the title, Helmut Marko's recent remarks on Norris have not gone down well with some Formula 1 fans. The Red Bull taskmaster opined that Norris "has some mental weakness," while proclaiming Verstappen the "best."

Thanks to McLaren's rise, Norris is in direct contention for the F1 title with Verstappen. However, the Briton is still way behind in terms of Championship points. Despite this, Norris and his team are optimistic about the driver's title chances this season.

Amid this, Marko gave his take on the drivers involved at the top of the championship battle. He spoke about the McLaren driver's "mental weakness" and added Verstappen has a mental edge over Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Marko said, (via Motorsport Magazine)

"We know Norris has some mental weaknesses. I’ve read some of the rituals he needs to do to perform well in the race.”

Speaking about Verstappen, he added,

“He is the best, the fastest, and – above all – has the mental strength to theoretically fight for a title more than Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris."

Following this, fans shared their thoughts on the 81-year-old's comments. A number of them did not seem happy with what he said, and criticized him

One fan said,

"Bro just retire already you’re like 103."

Another fan added,

"Oh I wish he’d stop talking. Don’t give others bulletin board material."

"Can someone put this guy in a home already," wrote another fan.

Here are some more fan reactions:

"Zero class from this guy as usual," another fan wrote.

"Not this Old Fart again............" wrote another fan.

"Helmut does talk some shit, doesn't he?" Another fan added.

Currently, Verstappen has 331 points after 18 races and three Sprints, whereas Norris has 279 points.

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"For me, it's still quite new" - Lando Norris on Max Verstappen's title advantage

Lando Norris of McLaren F1 Team MCL38 and Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing RB20 at the F1 Grand Prix Of Singapore - Source: Getty Images

Lando Norris in an interview this week, spoke about how Max Verstappen is placed in an advantageous position over him. The McLaren driver stated that Verstappen's experience over the years has helped him keep "aware."

Norris said (via racingnews365),

"Max is probably the hardest guy to race on the track. He’s probably one of the most aware in terms of situations. And helped by him being in this position for the last four or five years. For me, it’s still quite new.”

After the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, which was Norris' first GP victory, he trailed Verstappen by 52 points. 12 races later, following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver has been able to keep the point difference the same despite his car slipping down the order.