Lando Norris, the British Formula 1 driver for McLaren, recently found himself in a small controversy after being reprimanded for drinking Coca-Cola in the cool-down room following the Madrid Grand Prix. Norris, who finished third in the race, responded sharply to an official who told him off for drinking from a can of the soft drink. “I just did a race... I can drink what I like,” Norris said, defending his choice. The incident occurred after the race, when drivers typically relax in the cool-down room, which is a space for top-three finishers to watch race highlights and prepare for the podium ceremony. The Madrid race was the first-ever Formula 1 event held at the Madring street circuit, and Norris, who started on pole, was forced to settle for third place. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Alfa Romeo took the win, while Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing finished in second. Norris' moment of contention came when he was caught on camera drinking from a can of Coca-Cola while sitting on a sofa in the cool-down room. The official reason for the reprimand was not disclosed, but it is worth noting that Coca-Cola is not an official sponsor of Formula 1, while Pepsi has been a sponsor since 2025. Norris’ response to the reprimand was widely praised on social media, with many fans supporting his stance. One fan wrote, “Good on him honestly, absurd things are happening in F1.” The incident highlights the unique and sometimes quirky nature of Formula 1, where even small rules can become points of contention. Meanwhile, Norris’ physical exertion during the race was immense, as drivers typically burn around 1,500 calories and can lose up to 5% of their body weight during a race, which lasts about 90 minutes with high temperatures both in the air and on the track. Kimi Antonelli now leads the world championship by 81 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who finished fifth in Madrid. Antonelli capitalized on a virtual safety car (VSC) period on lap 15 to make his mandatory pit stop, gaining an advantage over Norris, who pitted a lap later. The next race on the calendar is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, scheduled for 26 September.