Verstappen, Norris joke over friendship after ‘pub fight’

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have opened up on their relationship ahead of the new F1 season and the anticipated championship battle they could be involved in.

The duo were involved in a title fight last year with Verstappen emerging victorious to secure his his fourth consecutive F1 title.

Verstappen and Norris are known to share a friendship and have asserted it has been left unaffected following their on-track spats last year.

Both drivers faced the media including RacingNews365 in Bahrain where they were asked about their relationship as they look to another title scrap this year.

“It’s a terrible relationship. We don’t get on anymore. It’s taken its toll,” Verstappen laughed.

Norris responded: “We had a fight the other day in a local pub.”

Verstappen then replied: “We had to get escorted [out]. I always say you should see the other guy but actually he still looks good.”

Norris expecting 'tough battles' with Verstappen

Norris then provided a more serious answer and asserted the friendship has not been impacted in a negative way.

As both target walking away with the championship in hand this year, Norris highlighted other drivers will likely get involved in the scrap.

“It’s fine, both of us are looking forward to more of last year, more battles,” he stated.

“I don't think it's going to be just us, there's going to be others involved which will make it more exciting for everyone.

“I know they're going to be tough battles, and I'm sure some of them not always going to end the way I want, or hopefully Max wants but we're racing drivers.

“We get along. We’ve always said those kind of things, I know everyone tries to make their own points and say what's correct and what's not correct.

“We respect each other a lot and we look forward to more racing on track.”