Lando Norris News: F1 star hints Max Verstappen fallout with AWKWARD admission

Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, 2024, Photoshop, Social — Photo: © IMAGO

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Norris hints Verstappen fallout with AWKWARD admission

The consequences from their Austria collision aren't just sporting ones

By Rhys Thomas.

Thursday 4 July 2024 15:00

Lando Norris has hinted all is not well between himself and Max Verstappen following a dramatic collision at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The two drivers, who are great friends off-track, collided during the closing stages of the race whilst battling for the lead.

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Norris had been complaining about Verstappen's defensive driving tactics for a number of laps, whilst the Dutchman blasted Norris' ambitious dives down the inside.

By that point, it appeared something would have to give, and on lap 64 both drivers suffered punctures as Norris attempted a move around the outside of the Red Bull driver at turn three. Verstappen was penalised for the collision by the stewards.

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris collided at turn three

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have been friends for years

Are Lando Norris and Max Verstappen still friends?

However, their relationship has been put under additional strain as they fight against each other for wins more often.

The blame game over team radio and after the race indicated all was not well, and Norris said he would lose a lot of respect for Verstappen if he said he did nothing wrong.

Appearing on the Heart breakfast show ahead of the British Grand Prix, Norris was asked to pick a driver to celebrate with if McLaren achieved a one-two finish.

"I mean I probably would have said Max but erm…” Norris replied, trailing off to a chorus of grimaces from team-mate Oscar Piastri and radio hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden.

“if you could choose one other driver to go out and celebrate with, who would it be?”

“i would have said max but…”

not him taking the beef to live radio?! ?pic.twitter.com/XCJ6ZnWJPC
— saff (@lovepiastri) July 3, 2024

“Is that because he’s so bitter because he’s come third?” Theakston asked to awkward laughter.

“Oh who would I, who would I erm who would I go… Daniel Ricciardo,” Norris eventually decided, with Piastri in agreement.

When asked the same question, Piastri chose Charles Leclerc on the condition from Theakston that it had to be a Ferrari driver.

It is not clear how serious Norris was in his dismissal of Verstappen, but Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports that the pair have spoken since the collision and that there is no issue.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Mercedes Lando Norris Austrian Grand Prix