Lando Norris Speaks Out On Max Verstappen Relationship After Miami Grand Prix Victory

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When Lando Norris took the checkered flag at Sunday’s Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, it served as an immensely popular first-career victory.

Norris received congratulations from drivers up and down the grid, including reigning champion and second-place finisher Max Verstappen.

Verstappen and Norris are friends, but will Norris becoming a serious challenger to the Dutchman’s crown put a dent in their relationship? Norris says there’s nothing to worry about it.

Lando Norris Clarifies His Relationship With Max Verstappen Is Not What It Seems

“I’m sure it will,” Norris answered when asked if their dynamic will change should he keep winning. “Not in a bad way. I don’t want to say it in a bad way. We have respect for one another.

“We get along, (but) we’re not best friends (and) we don’t text each other every day, that kind of thing. But we just have a lot of respect from him to me and me back to him.

“So I look forward to it. I want to challenge him. I want to race against him. I want to battle, because I think he’s one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1. So if I can prove myself against him, I’m proving myself against one of the best. And that’s exactly what I want to do.”

Norris was long considered one of the top young talents in the Formula 1 world. But an uncompetitive car and repeated misfortune meant it took him five-plus seasons and 110 races to finally reach the top step of the podium.

Now, with his McLaren team seemingly trending in the right direction, it’s expected that he’ll add several more to that tally.

If he does, it’s likely that his now friendly relationship with Verstappen may turn a little bit colder. Though if it it does, it appears Norris is more than happy to live with that consequence of his success.