The recent on-track battles between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have put to the test a friendship that seemed solid, but which is now feeling the pressure of fighting for the world title. After the clashes in the last Grands Prix in Austin and Mexico, many are wondering if their bond can last. Former driver Ralf Schumacher has even noticed a change in their habits, noting that the two no longer travel together as much as they used to.
The beginning of tensions: the Austrian GP
The first real clash between Verstappen and Norris came at the Austrian Grand Prix, where the two friends learned what it means to fight on the track. During the race, Verstappen and Norris found themselves side by side at various points, and Max did not hesitate to push the limits of aggression. Norris later expressed his frustration, and the two spoke the following Monday to clarify the situation. The Austrian GP marked the beginning of a new dynamic between the two: friends off the track, but fierce rivals on the track.
Austin and Mexico: The Conflict Escalates
Tensions flared again in Austin, where Verstappen forced Norris off the track at the first corner. Norris responded by remaining aggressive in the attack phase, but was then penalized for holding his position. The following week, in Mexico, Verstappen repeated aggressive maneuvers, forcing Norris off the racing line at several points and receiving two 10-second penalties. This time, however, there was no clarification between the two, a sign that the tensions on the track are starting to reflect on their personal relationship.
Norris: “I am not his mentor”
On the eve of the Brazilian GP, Norris made his stance clear. “I have great respect for Max and what he has achieved, but not for some of his recent actions on the track,” Norris said, adding that he did not feel the need to speak to him. “I am not his mentor or his teacher; Max knows what he has to do.” Despite their friendship, Norris’s words suggest that the Briton is not prepared to let such behavior slide.
Verstappen's victory in Brazil: talent or luck?
In Brazil, Verstappen took a win from 17th on the grid, a feat that drew admiration from the paddock, but not immediately from Norris. In the heat of the moment, Norris called the victory Max's "luck" rather than talent. He later changed his tune on social media: after posting a congratulatory story that he quickly deleted, Norris wrote a comment under a post by Verstappen, this time publicly congratulating him and leaving the message visible. Perhaps in response to the wave of criticism he received from fans for his initial attitude, Norris has chosen a more conciliatory approach, although relations still appear tense.
Verstappen responds: “We are here for the title, not to be friends”
Verstappen responded without hesitation: “We are fighting for the championship, it’s not a walk in the park,” said the world champion. For him, what happens on the track stays there: “You can be best friends or hate each other, but when you fight for the title, both will give everything.” Verstappen insists that nothing has changed in their relationship off the track, but in the race, there is no room for favoritism. “We always said we have to race hard against each other, nothing has changed,” he concluded.
Friendship or rivalry?
Despite the smiles and congratulations exchanged in Brazil, many believe that the friendship between Verstappen and Norris has taken a hit. “They don’t travel together like they used to,” Ralf Schumacher observed. “When you’re fighting for the world championship, it’s not easy to stay friends.” With Max now on the verge of a fourth title, tensions between the two seem set to persist.
It remains to be seen whether their bond will overcome the pressure of competition or whether, ultimately, the rivalry for the championship will drive them apart for good.
Source statements: PlanetF1
