Verstappen, Norris Share Respect Amid F1 Banter

SAKHIR, Bahrain — Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have laughed off any suggestion that their competitive spirit has turned into a personal grudge in the world of Formula 1. The pair, known for their intense rivalry on the racetrack, playfully bantered about their supposed animosity in a press event on Thursday during the preseason testing stage.

Norris was the most formidable contender against Verstappen’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive F1 championship last season. Their fierce contests ignited discussions among fans and pundits about whether existing F1 regulations adequately address aggressive or hazardous driving conduct.

“It’s a terrible relationship. We don’t get on anymore. It’s taken its toll,” Verstappen humorously remarked, with Norris by his side, sharing a laugh during a press conference on the second day of preseason testing in Bahrain. Norris jestingly added, “We had a fight the other day in a local pub,” to which Verstappen responded, “We had to get escorted (out). I always say, ‘You should have seen the other guy,’ but actually, he still looks good.”

Reflecting on last year’s experiences, Norris mentioned earlier that he had gained valuable lessons from challenging Verstappen and hinted at a more assertive “elbows out” strategy in future engagements on the track. “I know there are going to be tough battles and I’m sure some of them are not always going to end the way I want or hopefully Max wants, but we’re racing drivers. We get along,” he explained.

Norris acknowledged the nature of racing disputes and emphasized their mutual respect, saying, “I know everyone tries to make their own points and say what’s correct and what’s not correct, but we respect each other a lot and we look forward to more racing on track.”

With his impressive performance in the latter half of the 2024 season, Norris has positioned himself as a formidable contender to potentially disrupt Verstappen’s reign. His remarkable pace was evident as he topped the timings on the first day of preseason testing at Bahrain on Wednesday.