Lando Norris opens up on the intense title battle's impact on his friendship with Max Verstappen
Lando Norris recently talked about his friendship with Max Verstappen as the title battle between the two continues in the 2024 F1 season. The McLaren driver currently is in second place and chasing the three-time world champion in the drivers' championship table.
Norris and Verstappen are good friends off the track and have been frequently seen hanging out with each other during the off-season or between race weekends.
Previously, Red Bull was much faster than McLaren, and Verstappenw easily dominated the sport after his fierce fight with Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 F1 season. In the 2024 F1 season, however, McLaren has drastically closed the gap to Red Bull and has a slightly faster car when compared to the reigning world champions.
This gave Lando Norris an opportunity to lock horns with Max Verstappen for the drivers' championship. When they started battling for race wins and higher positions on various Grand Prix, many people started questioning how their on-track fights would affect their off-track bond.
In F1TV's pre-race show in the Brazilian GP, Norris was asked how he feels about his relationship with Verstappen. To which the British driver said that he was new to this situation, where he had to fight hard against his friend for the championship. He then added that he still respects the Dutchman and he thinks the feeling is reciprocated. Concluding his statement, the McLaren star told the F1TV presenters to ask him the same question at the end of the season.
“I don’t know, I’m split. In some ways, you kind of think how someone can be personally and how you can get along with people can be so different to how you are on track," Norris said.
“It’s such a different world there on the track to here doing this [in the paddock]. It’s my first time being in this situation, and time will tell how that changes. But for now I still respect Max, I think he respects me, but maybe ask me again at the end of the year!” the McLaren driver added.
Max Verstappen's take on his friendship with Lando Norris amid title battle
Max Verstappen also shared his views on his friendship with Lando Norris while both fought for the drivers' championship.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, he explained that both he and Lando Norris have discussed how they would fight each other hard on the track for the championship, and that it has not changed.
He added that the off-track relationship with drivers does not affect on-track battles, and vice versa. Verstappen added that there is an unsaid understanding among drivers about racing each other hard despite being friends off the track.
“We both understand we’re fighting for the championship; we’re not going for a lap around the church. We always told each other we need to race each other hard, so not much has changed in that regard," Verstappen said. (via PlanetF1)
“You know what it is? Everyone on the circuit knows that even if you’re the best friends, if you’re fighting for the championship you are both going to go for it. You can either be best friends or hate each other, but what you do on the circuit stays the same.,” he added.
Max Verstappen currently leads the table with 393 points, while Lando Norris is in second place with 331 points.