But it’s not that he doesn’t rate the McLaren driver, rather it’s because this season there’s more competition than just Norris on any given Sunday.
From friends to protagonists, Verstappen and Norris’ friendship may have survived their Austrian Grand Prix clash but according to the McLaren driver they have not spoken since part three in Mexico.
While Austria was the first big wheel-to-wheel battle, and contact, the title rivals were back at it again at the United States Grand Prix with Norris penalised for an off-the-track pass on Verstappen before a tension-fraught part three played out in Mexico.
Last Sunday, running second and third behind Carlos Sainz, Norris tried to pass Verstappen at Turn 4 on lap 10 only for the Red Bull driver to force him wide off the track. Verstappen was penalised for that as Norris had the apex.
Three corners later it was the Dutchman’s turn to attack as he dived up the inside and pushed them both off the track. This time Verstappen was pinged for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
Norris said of that: “This guy is dangerous. I just had to avoid a crash, the same as last time. I’ll be in the wall in a minute.”
Informed of Verstappen’s penalties, he replied: “He got what he had coming to him.”
Verstappen made it clear at the time that he wasn’t fazed by the penalties, he was more worried about Red Bull’s pace, before accusations of bias from stewards and pundits began to fly.
“They’re all coming out of the woodwork. At the end of the day, I’ve got the wrong passport for this paddock,” Verstappen declared in the build-up to the Brazilian Grand Prix.
But as the verbals flew, what it ultimately comes down to is two drivers fighting for the World title and now separated by just 47 points with four races remaining.
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Verstappen though, downplayed talk of Norris being his ‘toughest opponent’ but it’s not because he doesn’t rate the 24-year-old, it’s because no single opponent stands out given how close the top teams are.
“Lando is a very good driver, but there isn’t one big rival who makes my life hell,” he told Sport Bild.
But it’s not that he doesn’t rate the McLaren driver, rather it’s because this season there’s more competition than just Norris on any given Sunday.
Max Verstappen explains why Lando Norris isn’t his “one big rival”
From friends to protagonists, Verstappen and Norris’ friendship may have survived their Austrian Grand Prix clash but according to the McLaren driver they have not spoken since part three in Mexico.
While Austria was the first big wheel-to-wheel battle, and contact, the title rivals were back at it again at the United States Grand Prix with Norris penalised for an off-the-track pass on Verstappen before a tension-fraught part three played out in Mexico.
Last Sunday, running second and third behind Carlos Sainz, Norris tried to pass Verstappen at Turn 4 on lap 10 only for the Red Bull driver to force him wide off the track. Verstappen was penalised for that as Norris had the apex.
Three corners later it was the Dutchman’s turn to attack as he dived up the inside and pushed them both off the track. This time Verstappen was pinged for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
Norris said of that: “This guy is dangerous. I just had to avoid a crash, the same as last time. I’ll be in the wall in a minute.”
Informed of Verstappen’s penalties, he replied: “He got what he had coming to him.”
Verstappen made it clear at the time that he wasn’t fazed by the penalties, he was more worried about Red Bull’s pace, before accusations of bias from stewards and pundits began to fly.
“They’re all coming out of the woodwork. At the end of the day, I’ve got the wrong passport for this paddock,” Verstappen declared in the build-up to the Brazilian Grand Prix.
But as the verbals flew, what it ultimately comes down to is two drivers fighting for the World title and now separated by just 47 points with four races remaining.
Verstappen though, downplayed talk of Norris being his ‘toughest opponent’ but it’s not because he doesn’t rate the 24-year-old, it’s because no single opponent stands out given how close the top teams are.
“Lando is a very good driver, but there isn’t one big rival who makes my life hell,” he told Sport Bild.
