Ralf questions whether Norris can match Verstappen
"He comes up with the claim that he should earn as much as Max"
Ralf Schumacher has continued his criticism of Lando Norris, saying the McLaren driver must prove on track that he really belongs at Max Verstappen’s level.
The McLaren driver has become noticeably more assertive since winning the world championship, including comments suggesting he should be paid like Formula 1’s biggest stars and that he sees himself at the same level as Verstappen.
Schumacher told Sky Deutschland that those claims inevitably raise the standard Norris is judged against.
"He comes up with the claim that he should earn as much as Max Verstappen, because he’s as good as Max Verstappen," said the former F1 driver.
"If he’s as good as Max Verstappen, then he also has to get the most out of the car."
Schumacher believes Norris has made too many mistakes recently, including the Singapore Sprint collision with Oscar Piastri and another failed attack in the Grand Prix.
"Then you have to take overtaking moves that are correct," said the German.
He also again criticised Norris’ sharp treatment of reporters after the Sprint.
"I like it when Lando is a bit cheeky, but he went too far," said Schumacher.
"Sometimes you just have to accept that and be able to say live ’Yeah, ok, that was my fault.’"