Lando Norris declares ‘I hate everyone’ and hits out at ‘nonsense’ Max Verstappen’s…read more
Lando Norris has made it clear that his friendship with Max Verstappen won’t affect his pursuit of the 2024 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. Despite being known for his friendly demeanor off the track, Norris says that once he puts on his helmet, all friendships are set aside. “As soon as I put the helmet on, I hate everyone,” Norris explained in an interview with The Athletic, highlighting that personal relationships don’t impact his performance.
As the F1 season nears its conclusion, the rivalry between Norris and Verstappen has grown more intense. Verstappen currently holds a 52-point lead in the standings, but Norris has been closing the gap thanks to improvements in his McLaren car. The final six races of the season are expected to be fiercely contested, with both drivers fighting hard for the world title.
While Norris and Verstappen have a strong off-track friendship, including shared hobbies like playing padel, Norris emphasized that this camaraderie doesn’t extend to race day. He expressed that the closer he is to someone off the track, the more motivated he is to outperform them on it. “People think that because you’re mates, you’re too nice on the track. I think it’s the complete opposite,” Norris said. He dismissed the idea that being friends with a competitor would lead to leniency during races, calling such assumptions “nonsense.”
Norris’s determination comes at a crucial point in the championship. Verstappen, aiming for his fourth consecutive world title with Red Bull, started the season strong, but recent races have seen Norris gain ground. Notably, in the Singapore Grand Prix, Norris finished over 20 seconds ahead of Verstappen, marking a shift in momentum. Since July’s Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen hasn’t finished ahead of Norris, intensifying their battle for the title.
With just six races left, including upcoming Grands Prix in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil, every point will count as the season reaches its electrifying climax. Both drivers are fully focused on winning, and while their friendship remains off the track, Norris has made it clear he’s ready to do whatever it takes to secure his first world championship, even if it means temporarily setting aside his bond with Verstappen.
