LUSAIL, Qatar — Lando Norris disagrees with Max Verstappen’s belief he would have won the Formula One world championship earlier had he been driving a McLaren, saying the Dutchman “should start doing comedy or something.”

Lando Norris has dismissed as “comedy” a reported claim by Max Verstappen that he could have secured the Formula 1 title earlier if he’d had the same McLaren car as Norris, his closest challenger.

Lando Norris said Max Verstappen should be a comedian when he responded on Thursday to the newly-crowned four-time champion's claim that he would have won the title more easily if he was driving for McLaren.