Lando Norris has spoken out about whether his friendship with Max Verstappen has been impacted by their championship duel on the track, admitting that he is “split” on whether the two can be kept apart.
Norris and Verstappen have always been known to have a good relationship, but questions have been raised about whether this will continue considering the tight clashes the two have been involved in throughout the 2024 season. During an interview with Will Buxton on F1 TV’s Pre-Race Show in Sao Paulo, Norris was asked if the person outside the car could be distinguished from the racing driver within it.
“I don’t know, I’m split,” McLaren
The driver answered. “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.”It’s such a different world out on the track than it is here in the paddock. It’s my first time in this circumstance, and time will tell how things change. But for now, I still respect Max, and I believe he respects me, so maybe ask me again at the end of the year!”
Verstappen faced criticism for some of his on-track maneuvers when going wheel-to-wheel with Norris at the Mexican Grand Prix, with the Dutchman incurring two 10-second time penalties for his moves on his title challenger.
When Norris was told that Verstappen had not utilized such methods since his tough championship struggle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021, the Briton was questioned if this mirrored the level of performance he is currently at in his own fight with Verstappen. “It’s a compliment, for sure,” Norris replied. “But he’s doing what he thinks is best, which is fair enough.” It may not always be the right thing to do, but we always do what we perceive to be right and the best option at the time.
“He’s doing everything he can to put me behind him in the championship because he’s under pressure, as is Red Bull, and they’re not delivering. “We, as a team, have surpassed them; Ferrari has surpassed them. They’re trying their best, we’re doing our best, and the more pressure we can put on them, the more mistakes they’re likely to make.”
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