Shocking: Max Verstappen ‘invited’ Lando Norris to take Sergio Perez’s race seat in a…Read more
Max Verstappen ‘invited’ Lando Norris to take Sergio Perez’s race seat
Max Verstappen has revealed he once invited Lando Norris to join Red Bull, suggesting the Briton could achieve championship success there.
Verstappen made the remark after securing his fourth consecutive Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship in Las Vegas, finishing fifth in the race, with Norris just behind in sixth.
The title win cemented Verstappen’s dominance over a season where Norris posed one of his fiercest challenges.
The Red Bull driver described the 2024 championship as “challenging” due to various issues faced by his team, alongside McLaren’s rise as a serious contender.
The rivalry between Verstappen and Norris peaked during the Austrian Grand Prix, where they battled wheel-to-wheel for victory.
A collision ended Norris’s race, while Verstappen managed a fifth-place finish.
Verstappen later extended his lead to 84 points after Silverstone, but Norris fought back with wins in the Netherlands and Singapore, narrowing the gap to 44 points ahead of the Brazilian Sprint race.
However, Verstappen decisively clinched the title with a commanding performance in the wet Brazilian Grand Prix, while Norris struggled to sixth after two costly errors.
This left Verstappen with an unassailable 63-point lead heading into Las Vegas, where he officially secured the championship.
Reflecting on their rivalry, Verstappen acknowledged the unique experience of competing against a friend for the title.
He noted their mutual respect and shared history, adding that he once encouraged Norris to consider Red Bull if he wanted to win.
Despite the invitation, Norris chose to remain with McLaren, extending his contract earlier this year.
Verstappen expressed happiness for Norris’s progress, praising his strong season despite some setbacks.
He emphasized that mistakes are part of the learning process, with growth defined by how one recovers.
While they are not “best friends” who speak daily, Verstappen affirmed their friendship and mutual respect.
The Dutchman also criticized the media for occasionally stirring tension with provocative questions, particularly during high-pressure moments in the championship fight.
Despite such challenges, Verstappen remains confident that he and Norris will continue to have many exciting battles in the future.
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