Max Verstappen says “idiots” on social media have made his relationship with Lando Norris look worse than it is during the 2024 F1 season.
Verstappen and Norris have been good friends off the track since they met again in karting for a decade, but this year they had their first title fight in F1.
The pair clashed in Austria in June before controversial incidents in Austin and Mexico City in October saw Verstappen come under increasing pressure to maintain his championship lead.
Verstappen sealed a fourth consecutive title with a stunning win in Sao Paulo before pipping Norris at the Las Vegas GP where he was crowned champion.
“People always make things worse on social media. There are a lot of idiots on that platform who always have something to say, something to complain about,” Verstappen said on the Red Bull podcast. A talking bull.
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“There are a lot of positive people, but also some decent idiots. I think it’s best to ignore it all.
“Me and Lando, we were very good. It was a little tense at times, but off the track, it shouldn’t matter. We always try to do our best on the track.
“You’re fighting for the World Cup. I think it’s normal that things like that can happen, but we’re good.”
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Check out these new Max Verstappen angles that sent Lando Norris off the track twice at the Mexico City GP
Verstappen reveals he almost “destroyed” the room ahead of the Sao Paulo GP
The day that defined the title race was the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, when Verstappen stormed through the field from 17th to take his first win in four months, while pole-sitter Norris finished sixth.
Heavy rain meant qualifying took place on the Sunday morning before the race and Lance Stroll’s crash at the end of Q2 meant Verstappen missed out on Q3 due to unfortunate yellow and red flag timing and his 5-place grid penalty the engine relegated him to the penultimate row of the grid.
“I was very upset about the qualifying round. I wanted to destroy my room, but I went into my room and my dad was sitting there,” he said.
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Lance Stroll’s crash prompted an early end to Q2, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez missing Q3 in Brazil.
“He was the calmest, very calm. I was so angry, and then I saw him so calm. I just went in … when I think about the day, I really felt us, the office, when we were preparing for the race. there were sad faces because you start P17, your main rival starts first, so it can be a huge points swing and we couldn’t really have that at that point in the championship.
“Everybody was pretty nervous, but then it was a wet day. I like to drive in the wet, but you never know what’s going to happen that it is very difficult.
“But as soon as the race started, it was nice. I felt good about the car. Once I won that race, I’m like, “That’s right.”
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After Carlos Sainz’s crash brought out the safety car, Max Verstappen overtook Esteban Ocon to take the lead in the race in Brazil.
Verstappen compares Brazil 2024 to Abu Dhabi 2021
Verstappen, who will ski and ski during Formula 1’s winter break, will have the chance to join Michael Schumacher with a record five consecutive titles next season.
His first championship was the most controversial, as race director Michael Massi restarted the 2021 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with one lap to go, only allowing the rearguard to pass between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen overtook Hamilton late in the season to take the lead in an already contested season and compared this year’s race in Brazil to Abu Dhabi 2021.
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Martin Brundle believes Max Verstappen was “in a class” when he won the Sao Paulo GP and says Lando Norris will have a lot to learn ahead of another championship challenge next season.
“I wouldn’t want to relive Brazil because it was so exciting that I can’t do it again. It’s like reliving my first title that day. I think I’d die that day,” said the quadruple : champion.
“The people who saw me that day, especially my girlfriend (Pike), came into my room before the race. You’re just well prepared and there can be some nerves that you want.” to do
“But he said my hands are cold. You don’t really want to relive moments like that. They’re amazing to look at, but not to experience.”
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