Max Verstappen versus Lando Norris has the potential to be the defining rivalry in Formula One for the next decade.
After winning three consecutive world championships—two of which were largely uncontested—the dominant Dutchman now faces a serious challenger in the form of an old rival and friend, Lando Norris.
Verstappen and Norris have known each other for many years, with photos from their karting days in 2013 showcasing their long history. With just two years between them—Verstappen is 26 and Norris 24—they grew up as both rivals and friends. However, the events of the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday may have strained their friendship.
Their rivalry reached a boiling point in a dramatic and public fashion when a collision cost both drivers a chance at victory, impacting their races and testing their friendship. Both drivers remain defiant, with other drivers weighing in and historical grievances resurfacing. The question remains: who was at fault?
The race results suggest Verstappen, who received a 10-second time penalty for his role in the incident, while Norris was given a five-second penalty. The collision occurred seven laps from the end when Norris attempted to pass Verstappen on the outside. The two might have touched twice during the incident. According to Martin Brundle on Sky Sports, Verstappen braked late, trying to “run him off the road.” Both drivers went off-track, allowing George Russell to secure his second Grand Prix victory.
What could have been a moment of camaraderie, with the two stars joking in the cooling room before stepping onto the podium, instead marked a potential end to their friendship. Norris demanded an apology, telling Sky Sports: “I looked forward to a strong, fair battle, but I wouldn’t say that was what it was in the end. I got taken out of the race.” He added, “There’s rules, and if the rules aren’t followed, there’s nothing I can do about that. What I was doing today was easily enough for the win. I’m doing a good job and happy with my efforts. I can’t do anything more than what I’ve done. Got let down today.”
When asked if the friendship would be damaged, Norris said: “I don’t know. It depends what he says. If he says he did nothing wrong, then I’ll lose a lot of respect for that. If he admits to being a bit stupid and running into me and being reckless, then I’ll have a small amount of respect for it.”
Verstappen, however, was unyielding. “I always move my wheel before I brake and then, of course, you brake in a straight line trajectory,” he explained. “It’s always easy to say I was moving under braking, but I think the guy in the car knows best. Everyone can have their own opinion, but I’m the one driving. From the outside, it’s easy to judge and comment.”