SAKHIR, Bahrain — Amid rumors of a heated rivalry, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris quelled any talk of personal animosity between them with humor, playfully declaring they had escalated their differences to pub fights. The jesting exchange occurred on Thursday during a news conference on the second day of Formula 1 preseason testing. Norris, who emerged as Verstappen’s chief competitor last year as the latter clinched his fourth consecutive F1 championship, has been involved in intense on-track contests with the Dutch driver. These encounters have raised discussions about whether existing F1 regulations adequately address aggressive driving tactics.
Verstappen, maintaining a light-hearted tone, humorously commented, “It’s a terrible relationship. We don’t get on anymore. It’s taken its toll,” while Norris laughed beside him. Playing along with the jest, Norris added, “We had a fight the other day in a local pub,” to which Verstappen further joked about an altercation requiring them to be escorted out, quipping that Norris still “looks good” after the fictitious brawl.
In earlier remarks this month, Norris shared insights gained from his experiences challenging Verstappen, indicating a more assertive approach during future races with him. He acknowledged the inevitability of tough battles and accepted that not all will conclude as desired for either party. However, Norris emphasized a professional camaraderie, expressing a shared respect and anticipation for their continued competition on the track.
Norris’s remarkable performance in the latter part of 2024 has positioned him as a formidable contender potentially poised to end Verstappen’s championship reign, with Norris leading the timesheets on the first day of preseason testing in Bahrain.
