Today’s Formula 1 confirms with several cases that friendship between drivers is possible. What happens when they compete for the ultimate goal, the world championship?
The eternal question that, without a single or general answer, is often put in its place by reality. Is friendship possible between two drivers fighting for a title, in the same or another team? The example of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris serves as a practical case again.
Like politicians from different sides or ideologies who clash fiercely in public but then live together in private , many Formula 1 drivers fight fiercely on the track. Some even insult each other and are then seen sharing playful moments. And with close friendships.
The case of Norris and Verstappen illustrates the difficulties that can be faced in ensuring that a good relationship is not seriously damaged, not to say broken. Because high walls are raised when the time comes to fight hand to hand with the fastest cars in the world in the hunt for ultimate success.
Living in Monaco, with common leisure activities, travelling together on the same plane to races… Norris and Verstappen have known each other since karting. In 2024, they both became title contenders. “I think it’s possible, it depends a bit on your personality. Lando is a great guy, a very nice person who loves Formula 1 , and loves racing,” replied Verstappen himself after the incident in Austria , when the two ‘came to blows’ on the track for the first time. Indeed, perhaps it is about personality. As long as they don’t beat you.
The battle for the title reaches BOILING POINT 🔥🥵#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/BnvtHTxaQO
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 27, 2024
Although Verstappen was keen to salvage his friendship with Norris, in subsequent clashes he had no qualms about pushing the Briton to the limit – or even surpassing it, as in Mexico – in his title battle. Until now, Norris has never gone to such extremes.
At the last Brazilian Grand Prix, the McLaren driver was asked if it was possible to separate the driver from the subject, in reference to his personal relationship with Verstappen. The Briton was already quite circumspect in his answer: “I don’t know, I’m torn. You think that the way someone can be, and how they can get along with people, is very different to how they are on the track . It’s the first time I’ve been in this situation, and time will tell how it changes. For now I still respect Max, I think he respects me, but ask me again at the end of the year!”
Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg crash out in Spain
— F1 History (@TodayF1History) January 19, 2024
Spanish GP – 2016#F1 pic.twitter.com/bRX6k1xaLx
The incidents in Austria first, then in the United States (where he unceremoniously drove Norris off the track) and in Mexico confirmed that the Dutchman’s competitive instinct was ready for any manoeuvre, entering the realm of the born killer , like Ayrton Senna or Michael Schumacher in their day . All of them implacable in any manoeuvre to defend their position . And if personal relationships are a hindrance, they are removed.
The case of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg is a recent example. Friends since childhood, their relationship broke down during their time together at Mercedes. Aside from the on-track clashes ( such as the one at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix) , both fought furiously to win the team’s favour, since Wolff had cut short any accidents between them. Rosberg managed to beat Hamilton to a title and went home.
If “it depends directly on your personality”, as Verstappen pointed out, Norris is considered an affable and well-liked person. Perhaps his personality is “a blessing for life, but not for racing”, as one veteran team manager said about his driver, whose personal virtues prevented him from entering the jungle of Formula 1 with a knife. A perception that Norris seems forced to deny in his fight with the Dutchman.