Lando Norris admits he’s the ‘closest’ to Max Verstappen despite fierce 2024 title fight
Lando Norris revealed that he was closest to Max Verstappen on the grid despite showcasing a fierce battle for the championship.
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Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have depicted a fierce battle in the 2024 season. Red Bull’s struggles have enabled McLaren to breeze past the once-dominant team on the track. As a result, Norris and Verstappen have collided and fought multiple times. However, despite the rivalry, the Briton declared he was closest to the Dutchman.
Max Verstappen had collided with Lando Norris during the Austrian GP and put a disappointing end to the latter’s race. Both the drivers refused to take responsibility for the accident in the heat of the moment. However, both made up after the race and are now on good terms. Hence, Norris reckoned that out of people he hadn’t worked with, Verstappen was the person he was closest to.
For people that I’ve not worked with, I’m closest to Max Verstappen.Lando Norris told Formula1
The reason for this closeness was both had grown up together and had participated in karting races. Norris had acquainted well with Verstappen back in 2012 during their karting days. Additionally, the Briton claimed he had a good and respectful relationship with the Dutchman despite not working together with him directly.
I would say. Just because we kind of grew up together-ish, we knew of each other many, many years ago, 2012, 2013… I’ve never actually worked with Max or been in the same team or anything like that, but I’ve always had a good, respectful relationship with Max.Lando Norris added
Lando Norris knew Carlos Sainz ‘personally more than anyone else’ in F1
Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz‘s friendship also dates back to the latter’s McLaren days as they were teammates for a long time. Hence, Norris was even very close to the Spaniard in Formula 1. Norris added he knew the 29-year-old personally more than anyone else on the grid. Subsequently, the Briton noted he even knew Sainz’s cousin as well.
Carlos is the one that I’ve been team mates with, I kind of know probably personally more than anyone else, even his cousin and that kind of thing. I would probably say Carlos and Max.Lando Norris noted
The 2024 Formula 1 season was thought to have ruined friendships between drivers due to the fierce battle. However, despite the differences, the drivers have continued to maintain a good friendship on and off the track.
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Aditya Pandya
(1440 Articles Published)