Max Verstappen and Lando Norris reveal their friendship faces challenges as fierce on-track rivalries test their relationship.
Max Verstappen has downplayed rumours suggesting that he and Lando Norris are no longer on speaking terms following recent on-track clashes during the last two Grands Prix.
Norris received a five-second penalty for overtaking Verstappen off-track at the United States Grand Prix. A week later, at the Mexican Grand Prix, Verstappen was hit with two ten-second penalties—first for pushing Norris off the track, and then later in the race for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
Norris confirmed he hadn’t reached out to Verstappen in the days since, in contrast to when they spoke after their collision at the Austrian Grand Prix.
When asked about the state of their relationship in recent weeks, Verstappen acknowledged a shift, stating, “You know how it is. Everyone knows we’re both fighting for a championship, even if you’re the best of friends.”
“We understand each other off the track, so we don’t talk as much now. If you look back in 10 years, you’ll understand. You can be the best of friends or hate each other, but on the track, it’s the same. If you want to make a difference, it’s not good, in my view, to mix it all together.”
Verstappen remains resolute: regardless of their relationship, they have always agreed that “we must race hard.”
“Nothing changes in that regard. We discussed the incident in Austria before the British Grand Prix. We both understand that we’re fighting for a championship. This isn’t a walk in the park!”
However, Lando Norris later confirmed that he is no longer speaking with Verstappen.
“My approach to focusing on the track is different from off it. If someone treats me like dirt on the track, it doesn’t mean I’ll treat them like dirt off the track. They’re two different worlds.”
“Very few people in the world have achieved what Max has. There are 99 things he’s better at than anyone else, and one thing he isn’t—human relationships.”
“Our friendship is at risk, but we’ll see at the end of the season how to move forward, certainly.”
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Rivalry Strains Verstappen and Norris’s Once-Strong Friendship Rivalry Strains Verstappen and Norris’s Once-Strong Friendship
