The high-octane world of Formula 1 has always been a breeding ground for drama, but the latest controversy has shifted gears from the circuit to social media, pitting McLaren star Lando Norris’ girlfriend against reigning champion Max Verstappen in a war of words.
Margarida Corceiro, the 22-year-old Portuguese model, actress, and influencer who has become a fixture in the F1 paddock alongside Norris, unleashed a scathing tirade against Verstappen following the Dutch driver’s victory at the Italian Grand Prix last weekend. In a now-viral Instagram story and subsequent interview snippets shared across platforms, Corceiro accused Verstappen of owing his success not to raw talent, but to sheer “luck” and undue favoritism from the FIA.
“He only won because of LUCK and the FIA’s preference,” Corceiro declared, her words quickly amplified by F1 fan accounts and gossip sites. She didn’t stop there, escalating the feud by claiming that Norris, if competing in Verstappen’s era, would have overshadowed the Red Bull ace entirely. “If Lando had raced in the same era as Verstappen, he would never have been hailed as a legend,” she added, suggesting the three-time world champion’s iconic status is inflated by circumstances beyond his control.
The comments, posted shortly after Norris finished second in Monza behind Verstappen, exploded online, garnering millions of views and sparking heated debates among fans. Corceiro’s bold stance appeared to carry an underlying ultimatum: either the FIA levels the playing field, or Norris’ championship aspirations – currently trailing Verstappen by a narrowing margin – will forever be hampered by perceived bias. Social media erupted with memes, supporter rallies, and accusations of sour grapes, as #MargaridaVsMax trended globally on X (formerly Twitter).
Corceiro, who has been in an on-again, off-again relationship with the 25-year-old British driver since 2023, has increasingly become a polarizing figure in the F1 community. Dubbed one of Forbes Portugal’s most influential Instagram personalities, her glamorous appearances at races like Monaco and Hungary have drawn both admiration and scrutiny. The couple’s romance was officially confirmed earlier this year, with heartwarming moments from Norris’ Hungarian GP win in August still fresh in fans’ minds. Yet, her outspoken defense of Norris has now thrust her into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Verstappen, known for his no-nonsense demeanor both on and off the track, wasted no time responding. In a post-race press conference and echoed in a terse social media update, the 27-year-old Red Bull driver delivered a devastating seven-word clapback: “Champions rise above luck and petty excuses.”
The response was surgical – concise, confident, and cutting. It immediately went viral, with fans praising Verstappen’s poise while Corceiro’s accounts fell eerily quiet in the hours that followed. No rebuttal, no stories, no likes – just radio silence. Observers speculate that the weight of Verstappen’s words, backed by his unassailable record of 62 Grand Prix wins and three consecutive titles, may have left the influencer at a loss for words.
This isn’t the first time personal relationships have intersected with F1’s intense rivalries. Norris and Verstappen have clashed on-track multiple times this season, including controversial moments in Austria and Silverstone that fueled ‘Drive to Survive’ drama. Off-track, however, the drivers have maintained a cordial rapport, often seen chatting in Monaco where both reside. Corceiro’s intervention, though, risks straining that dynamic, especially as the championship tightens with eight races remaining. Norris sits second in the standings, just 31 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri after recent team strategy decisions raised eyebrows about McLaren’s internal favoritism.
F1 insiders are buzzing about the potential fallout. “Margarida’s passion for Lando is clear, but this crosses into territory that could distract from his title fight,” one paddock source told reporters. Verstappen, meanwhile, shrugged off the drama in Monza, focusing instead on his team’s dominant performance. “I race to win, not to argue,” he said post-race.
As the F1 circus rolls on to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Norris – and whether Corceiro’s silence signals the end of her social media salvos or the prelude to more fireworks. In a sport where every word can shift alliances, Verstappen’s retort has undoubtedly claimed the checkered flag.
