In a bombshell interview that’s already sending shockwaves across social media and F1 circles, Windsor didn’t mince his words when discussing the hotly contested Driver of the Year gong for 2025. The outspoken pundit, known for his no-holds-barred takes on YouTube and in various media outlets, declared: ‘I believe Lando Norris will win the Driver of the Year award this year because the FIA treated him unfairly last year.’

And he didn’t stop there. Windsor went further, directly targeting Verstappen and hinting at shadowy ‘powerful forces’ pulling strings behind the scenes to ensure Max clinched the accolade instead of the deserving Brit. It’s the kind of incendiary claim that could ignite a full-blown feud as the 2026 season – with its game-changing new regulations – kicks off in Australia next month.

The controversy centres on the 2025 season, where Norris finally broke through to claim his maiden Drivers’ Championship in dramatic fashion. After trailing Verstappen by a hefty 34 points mid-season, the McLaren ace staged an astonishing comeback, winning seven races and overhauling the Red Bull star to lift the crown at the Abu Dhabi finale. Norris became the first British champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020, and McLaren celebrated their first constructors’ title in decades.

Yet, despite Norris’s on-track triumph, it was Verstappen who walked away with several fan-voted and media accolades, including – according to Windsor and a growing chorus of supporters – the coveted Driver of the Year award in certain polls. Autosport readers, for instance, crowned Verstappen their Driver of the Year for 2025, praising his eight wins and relentless consistency even in a car that lost its edge late in the year. Formula 1’s own Driver of the Day votes saw Max dominate in key races, including a masterful Abu Dhabi performance where he took pole and controlled the race despite the title already being out of reach.

But Windsor is having none of it. The veteran F1 insider, who once managed teams and has commentated for decades, insists Norris was ‘robbed’ by FIA bias or external influences that propped up Verstappen. ‘The FIA treated him unfairly last year,’ Windsor fumed, implying procedural decisions, voting irregularities or behind-the-scenes manoeuvring denied Norris the recognition he deserved. He even suggested ‘powerful forces’ – a thinly veiled jab at Verstappen’s connections, perhaps alluding to his father Jos’s influence in the paddock or Red Bull’s political clout – helped Max snatch the prize.

It’s explosive stuff, especially with Norris now the reigning champion and Verstappen hungry for revenge in 2026. The Dutchman, who dominated from 2021 to 2024 with four straight titles, saw his Red Bull machine falter in the second half of 2025 amid internal turmoil and development missteps. Insiders claim the team ‘lost the championship for Max,’ as Windsor himself has argued in recent videos, pointing to poor strategy calls and car upgrades that left Verstappen fighting an uphill battle.

Yet Max still outshone many, with fans and pundits alike hailing drives like his Las Vegas masterclass – where he capitalised on Norris’s Turn 1 error to claim victory – and his heroic efforts in Brazil and Qatar. Windsor, however, sees it differently. He believes Norris’s mental resilience – overcoming anxiety, criticism and the pressure of being ‘the next big thing’ – made him the standout performer. ‘Lando won the drivers’ championship on merit,’ Windsor has said in past analyses, but now he’s escalating it to claim external interference stole additional honours.

Social media has erupted since the comments surfaced, with fan pages on Facebook sharing the quote far and wide. Norris supporters are rallying: ‘Peter speaking facts! FIA always protects Max,’ one viral post read, while others posted memes of Norris ‘finally getting justice.’ Verstappen diehards hit back furiously: ‘Windsor is just a salty Brit. Max earned everything – no help needed.’ The divide is as stark as ever in this golden era of F1 rivalries.

This isn’t Windsor’s first rodeo when it comes to stirring the pot. The commentator has a long history of bold opinions – from defending Norris against critics who ‘have no clue about racing’ to calling out Verstappen’s aggressive style and even questioning penalties (or lack thereof) in past incidents. He’s previously argued Verstappen is ‘better than any driver on the planet’ in sheer talent, yet in the same breath claimed Red Bull squandered Max’s chances last year.

The Driver of the Year award – whether the official FIA one, Autosport’s fan vote or other media polls – carries huge prestige. In 2025, Verstappen’s haul included topping Driver of the Day in multiple races, edging out Norris despite the championship defeat. Windsor’s claim of ‘unfair treatment’ suggests Norris should have swept the board, with the FIA (or voters influenced by them) tilting the scales.

As the 2026 season looms, with active aerodynamics, hybrid power shifts and new teams on the horizon, the stakes are sky-high. Norris, now the hunted rather than the hunter, starts as favourite in the papaya McLaren. Verstappen, at Red Bull (for now), is tipped to bounce back fiercely. Any lingering resentment from Windsor’s words could spill onto the track – think tense wheel-to-wheel battles in Melbourne, radio spats or icy paddock stares.

Norris himself has stayed typically laid-back so far, focusing on preparation rather than controversy. But with his father Adam’s influence in the background – and whispers of family demands to McLaren bosses – the Brit pack is united. Hamilton, now at Ferrari, has praised Norris’s maturity, while George Russell keeps the British contingent strong.

Verstappen, ever the straight-talker, is unlikely to let this slide quietly. The man who once said he’d only race if it’s fun has shown zero tolerance for perceived slights. If Windsor’s accusations gain traction, expect Max to respond in his trademark style – perhaps with a dominant drive that silences doubters.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and the FIA will be watching closely. The sport has endured enough off-track storms, from 2021’s Abu Dhabi debacle to budget cap rows. Another award controversy could tarnish the shine of the new regs era.

For now, Windsor’s words have lit the fuse. Is there truth to claims of FIA bias? Or is this just another chapter in the endless Norris-Verstappen saga? One thing’s certain: as the cars fire up Down Under, the drama off-track might just match the action on it.

Peter Windsor has thrown down the gauntlet – accusing Max of riding a wave of ‘powerful’ help to steal Norris’s thunder. Whether it’s payback time in 2026 remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: this F1 soap opera shows no signs of slowing down.

Buckle up – the battle for supremacy, on and off the track, is just revving up.