Verstappen addresses Norris friendship: 'This is not a walk in the park'

Max Verstappen has dismissed suggestions he and Lando Norris are no longer on speaking terms following the fallout from their on-track clashes in the last two grands prix.

Norris was punished with a five-second penalty for overtaking Verstappen off the circuit in the United States Grand Prix. Many feel the three-time F1 champion should have been as equally punished for forcing the Briton into that situation.

A week later, in the Mexico City Grand Prix, Verstappen was handed two 10-second penalties, initially for forcing Norris off track, and then a few corners later, for going off track and gaining a lasting advantage.

Norris confirmed on Thursday he had not contacted Verstappen over the preceding days after leaving Mexico, as opposed to the two speaking to one another following their initial contretemps during the Austrian Grand Prix.

Asked whether their relationship had changed in recent weeks, speaking to media, including RacingNews365, Verstappen said: "You know what it is. Everyone knows you both go for it when you're fighting for a championship, even if you're best friends.

"We get it outside the track. If you look back on it in 10 years, you'll get it. You can be best friends or hate each other, [but] on the track it stays the same. If you're going to make a difference, that's not good, I think."

Verstappen is adamant that no matter the relationship between himself and Norris, they "have always said to each other that we have to race hard".

He added: "Nothing changes in that respect. We spoke about it [the incident in Austria] in England [ahead of the British GP].

"We both understand that we are fighting for a championship. It is not a walk in the park!"