Lando Norris has insisted he remains good friends with Max Verstappen, despite the duo clashing throughout the season as the Qatar Grand Prix looms.
Verstappen recently secured his fourth F1 Drivers’ Championship on the trot, with the Red Bull star achieving the feat at last weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Norris has pushed his rival hard but, ultimately, won’t be securing the first title of his career in 2024.
Speaking ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday, the Briton was asked about his relationship with Verstappen.
Lando Norris has insisted he remains good friends with Max Verstappen, despite the duo clashing throughout the season as the Qatar Grand Prix looms
REUTERS
The pair have regularly fired verbal shots at each other throughout the course of the campaign, only adding more spice to their rivalry on the track.
Yet Norris insists they remain good friends, despite everything that’s been said over the past nine months.
“There were some tougher moments, but we’re still good friends,” said the 25-year-old.
“We had a nice word with each other after the race last weekend [in Las Vegas].
JUST IN: Snooker row erupts at UK Championships as Steve Davis makes urgent demand to tournament bosses
“I still have a lot of respect for him and everything he’s done. So from my side, it’s all good.”
Norris did, however, aim a cheeky dig at his rival.
Verstappen recently boasted that he’d have won the F1 title if he’d been driving for McLaren, such is the Dutchman’s confidence in his own ability.
And Norris has now hit back by saying the 27-year-old should do ‘comedy’.
“He should start doing comedy or something. He can say whatever he wants.
“Of course I completely disagree, as I would. He’s good but, yeah, it’s not true.”
Norris is currently 21 points ahead of Charles Leclerc, who sits third in the Formula One standings.
And though the McLaren star has missed out on title glory, he’s eager to finish second.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Lewis Hamilton fears Mercedes decision has already put him on the back foot at Ferrari
- Michael van Gerwen risks making a fool of himself with Luke Littler snub ahead of World Darts Championships
- Tyson Fury shows off incredible body transformation for Oleksandr Usyk rematch as boxing fans in agreement
Lando Norris is eager to finish second to Max Verstappen as the Qatar Grand Prix looms
REUTERS
“It’s better than third, but not as good as winning,” he said.
“I’ll still do everything I can to finish second.
“I still want to beat everything else so if I do that, I’ll be happy.”
Sunday will mark the third time the Qatar Grand Prix has taken place.
Lando Norris has suggested Max Verstappen should ‘do comedy’ ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix
REUTERS
Lewis Hamilton won the event in 2021 before the race wasn’t held in the country in 2022.
Last year, however, Verstappen secured glory ahead of McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Norris.