McLaren boss condemns rival's remarks on Lando Norris' mental toughness, calling them 'tasteless'

McLaren boss condemns rival's remarks on Lando Norris' mental toughness, calling them 'tasteless'

During a press conference at the United States Grand Prix prior to sprint qualifying, Brown acknowledged that he had seen Marko's remarks and described them as "disappointing, but not surprising."

Marko, aged 81, stated in an interview with Motorsport Magazine that Red Bull is aware of certain "mental weaknesses" in Norris, mentioning that he has specific rituals he follows to ensure optimal performance on race day.

He also suggested that Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who has not secured a victory in his last eight races while maintaining a 52-point lead in the championship, possesses a competitive edge over Norris due to his "mental strength."

Brown remarked, "I came across some comments that I found disappointing, yet not unexpected. Lando has been a strong advocate for mental health."

He continued, "Toto Wolff from Mercedes has also addressed the importance of mental health. It is a significant issue that we have aimed to highlight, encouraging open discussions about it."

Brown criticized the insensitivity of Marko's comments, stating, "To make light of such a serious matter is quite inappropriate and regresses our progress by decades. While some may view it as part of the competitive nature of racing, I believe this particular comment was in very poor taste."

He concluded by noting that Norris is "very enthusiastic about the upcoming six races and the sprints," emphasizing, "He is as focused as ever."

SportsLigue