Lando Norris to ask Max Verstappen for tips on what makes Daniel Ricciardo angry

Formula 1

Norris to ask Verstappen for tips on what makes Ricciardo angry

Norris and Ricciardo will be McLaren team-mates from 2021

Ian Parkes

Sunday 31 May 2020 11:04

Lando Norris is to turn to close friend Max Verstappen for tips on how to make Daniel Ricciardo angry ahead of them becoming McLaren team-mates for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

In an unusual scenario, before a wheel has turned in anger this season, Norris already knows he will be partnering Ricciardo next year, with current McLaren team-mate Carlos Sainz heading to Ferrari.

The 21-year-old has revealed turning to Verstappen for the inside track on Sainz given they were team-mates at Toro Rosso for just over a season prior to the Dutchman's promotion to Red Bull after four races of the 2016 campaign.

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It will be the same with Ricciardo as the Australian and Verstappen were team-mates for almost three seasons ahead of the former departing to Renault at the end of 2018.

"I know Daniel a little bit more than I knew Carlos going into the season, and what will be going into 2021," said Norris, speaking during a SkySports F1 Instagram interview.

"But there are still a lot of things I don't know, about how he works and how sneaky he is with things, more behind-the-scenes kind of stuff. I'll find out next year.

“Max gives me a lot of good tips. He obviously knew a lot about Carlos, and he knows a lot about Daniel.

"It's part of it, getting to know your team-mate. As much as sometimes you want to get along - and sometimes they don’t - you want to know what their weaknesses are, what their strengths are and so on. If anyone can tell me them then that’s a benefit.

"It's always a mixture. You want to have fun in Formula 1, and that’s what I want to do. But at the same time, everyone knows you have to work well with your team-mate, as a team, but everyone also knows your biggest competitor is also your team-mate."

While Norris and Ricciardo are almost certain to provide numerous comedy moments off-track together given their personalities, the 21-year-old is aware he will need every edge he can get to beat him on track.

“It’s going to be tough," added Norris. "There’s going to be a lot of things I need to learn from Daniel, but whoever has tips on what makes Daniel angry, I’m sure Max will be the guy to ask.”

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