Norris Expects Relationship With Verstappen To Change As He Starts Beating Him More Often
F1Thursday, 09 May 2024 at 18:00
McLaren driver Lando Norris suggested he expects his relationship with Max Verstappen to change as he starts depriving him of more and more race wins.
During the most recent race at Miami International Autodrome, Lando Norris achieved his first-ever Grand Prix victory. Although a well-timed safety car was an important aspect, there was one sign that should warn Red Bull and other rivals of what's to come.
The McLaren driver beat Max Verstappen on pure race pace between the safety car and the end of the race, creating a gap of more than seven seconds to the triple World Champion.
Miami Grand Prix was the second race of the season that Verstappen didn't win, and he seemed genuinely happy for his friend driving for McLaren.
The 26-year-old is known to have a great relationship with Norris, and he even told the media right after the race that he "was happy to be beaten by Lando."
However, it will be interesting to watch if Verstappen retains this kind of attitude if Norris starts beating him more often. Asked if his dynamic with the Red Bull Racing driver will change if he keeps depriving him of more wins, the 24-year-old told Sky Sports:
"I'm sure it will. I don't want to say it in a bad way, but we have respect for one another. We get along. We are not the best friends, we don't text each other every day and that kind of thing, but we just have a lot of respect from him to me and from me back to him."
What is clear is that Norris is ready and wants to fight for race wins more often, and with the latest upgrade, it seems the rally could become a threat to Verstappen. He added:
"I look forward to it. I want to challenge him, race against him, and battle because I think he's one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1."
"If I can prove myself against him, I'm proving myself against one of the best, and that's exactly what I want to do."
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