Lando Norris believes he outperformed Max Verstappen in Austria. But has their fierce on-track battle strained their friendship?
Lando Norris is battling Max Verstappen not only in the standings for the world title, but also on the track.
The two men have engaged in several fierce duels this year, the most notable being in Austria, at the Red Bull Ring.
On that occasion, the two drivers made contact, and while Lando Norris was forced to retire, Max Verstappen managed to finish the race and score valuable championship points.
In an interview with The New York Times, Lando Norris reflected on that famous battle with more perspective. There’s no doubt: for him, Max Verstappen remains the toughest competitor on the track…
“Max is probably the hardest driver to face on track. He’s likely one of the most aware in terms of situations. And it’s helped him to have been in this position for four or five years. For me, it’s still relatively new.”
The result wasn’t what Norris had hoped for at the Red Bull Ring, but he remains firm: it was Max Verstappen who was defeated in that wheel-to-wheel battle!
“That day, things didn’t end the way I wanted. But I still feel like I won the battle by taking him on, even if I didn’t win in the end.”
A friendship not sacrificed off the track?
This incident may have raised doubts about the durability of the friendship between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Many relationships in F1 have been strained, such as between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes F1.
But what about the off-track friendship between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen? Has their friendship suffered from this growing rivalry?
Does Lando Norris distinguish between what happens on and off the track?
“As soon as I put my helmet on, I hate everyone. Nothing changes.”
“Many people think that just because I get along with someone off the track, or because, I don’t know, I play video games with someone, we’re automatically best friends no matter what. That’s completely false.”
“We do things together with Max. We have similar interests. We play padel together, things like that. And I like Max as a person, I think he’s very genuine and authentic. But that changes nothing when I’m on the track.”
However, this camaraderie doesn’t soften him—it drives him even more.
“I think the people you get along with best off the track are the ones you want to beat the most on the track, which is the opposite of what many people think.”
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Friendship Tested: Norris Bests Verstappen in Austria Friendship Tested: Norris Bests Verstappen in Austria
