Norris explains ‘hate’ in dismissing Verstappen theory

Lando Norris has dispelled the idea that his friendship with Max Verstappen makes it more difficult for him to race against the Red Bull driver, saying he 'hates everyone' once his helmet is on.

The two are entwined in a fight for the F1 drivers' championship, which is becoming increasingly tense and could go down to the wire in Abu Dhabi.

With six rounds remaining, including three sprint weekends, 52 points separates the pair. Earlier in the season, it was suggested their relationship would prove difficult for Norris to overcome in a full-blown title tilt.

The McLaren driver is battling at the front of F1 - and for a championship - for the first time, whilst Verstappen is significantly more experienced in that arena.

After their clash at the Austrian Grand Prix, the Briton offered some blunt words about the incident, which he almost immediately rowed back on during media day for the British Grand Prix.

That caused some to question his approach, and whether he had handed Verstappen a key psychological advantage.

However, that has not been the case and he has since beaten Verstappen directly and on merit in the Dutch and Singapore Grands Prix.

To Norris, the suggestion his relationship with the Dutchman changes how he fights him on track does not hold up, emphasising equal feelings towards his competitors once inside the cockpit.

“As soon as I put the helmet on, I hate everyone. That doesn’t change,” the 24-year-old told The Athletic.

“A lot of people think because I get along with someone here, or because, I don’t know, I just play on a [video] game with someone, that you’re just best mates in life, no matter what you do. That’s just nonsense.

“We do those things. We have similar interests. We play padel together, that kind of stuff. And I like Max as a guy, I think he’s a very genuine guy. But that doesn’t change anything when I’m on the track.”

'I think it's the complete opposite'

All three of Norris' career victories have been when Verstappen has finished in second place, and whilst the two most recent triumphs were won by over 20 seconds - in part due to the MCL38's dominance over the RB20 - the British driver has shown a willingness to do battle with the three-time F1 champion.

If anything, Norris believes his friendship with Verstappen makes him even more hungry to beat him, openly disagreeing with what he feels is a widely-held narrative.

“I think the people you get along with more out of the track are the people you want to beat more when you’re on the track, which is the opposite thought to what a lot of people have,” he explained.

“They think because you’re mates there, you’re too nice on the track. I think it’s the complete opposite.”