Max Verstappen has hit out at the "proper idiots" on social media who sought to further fan the flames of discontent between him and Lando Norris - and their support bases - during the 2024 F1 season.
The four-time drivers' champion maintains he enjoys a good relationship with the McLaren driver, despite things getting "a bit tense on track" at times.
There were a number of flashpoints between the two over the course of the campaign, as Verstappen fought to hold onto his early lead in the standings.
As the British driver started to assert himself in the title conversation, things became less than amicable, despite the Dutchman's championship charge never truly being under threat.
The pair first collided at the Austrian Grand Prix, with further heated moments at the Circuit of the Americas and Mexico City.
Nevertheless, the two remain friends, with Verstappen insisting what happens on track should have no bearing on relationships off it.
"Yeah, people always make it [out] like [it is] a lot worse on social media, a lot of idiots on those platforms," Verstappen said on the Talking Bull podcast.
"They always have something to say, something to complain about. There are also a lot of positive people, but also some proper idiots.
"I think it's better just to ignore all of that. But Lando and I, we get on very well.
"Of course, at times, it got a bit tense on track, but off track, that shouldn't matter. We always try to do the best we can on track to get the best possible result.
"You are fighting for a world championship, so I think it's normal that these kind of things can happen, but we're good."
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