{"id":8313,"date":"2024-05-09T13:08:06","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T13:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=8313"},"modified":"2024-05-09T13:08:06","modified_gmt":"2024-05-09T13:08:06","slug":"lando-norris-warns-max-verstappen-were-not-best-friends-as-he-talks-up-title-hopes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=8313","title":{"rendered":"Lando Norris warns Max Verstappen ‘we’re not best friends’ as he talks up title hopes"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"McLaren\n<\/div>

Lando Norris has become Great Britain\u2019s 21st different race winner (Photo: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lando Norris is confident he can challenge for the Formula 1 title next season following his maiden win at the Miami Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

But the British star warned reigning champion Max Verstappen that their close friendship may be affected if the duo go head-to-head for the championship.<\/p>\n

Five years after bursting onto the scene, Norris finally tasted victory as an F1 driver with an impressive win at the Miami International Autodrome last Sunday.<\/p>\n

Many have long-tipped the 24-year-old for glory and to follow in the footsteps of Sir Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button and win the world championship in the future.<\/p>\n

And with McLaren now closer to the front of the grid than they have been for over a decade, the stars are aligning nicely.<\/p>\n

\u2018100 per cent,\u2019 Norris told Sky Sports on Thursday when asked if he could win the title in 2025.<\/p>\n

\u2018I am saying that still with my feet on the ground. I want to believe that we have two great drivers. We have an amazing team behind us and we are closer than ever.<\/p>\n

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\"F1\n<\/div>

Norris beat Max Verstappen to victory in Miami (Photo: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018As much as I said at the beginning of this year we can win races, I should have the confidence to say next year we can go for the next step.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Absolutely, we can win more races this year. I think we can compete against Red Bull. I think we\u2019re looking at an exciting season between us, Red Bull and Ferrari.\u2019<\/p>\n

It is expected that the gap in performance to Red Bull will be significantly closer in 2025, especially with design genius Adrian Newey leaving the team, which could see Norris go toe-t- toe with Verstappen for the first time.<\/p>\n

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\"McLaren\n<\/div>

Verstappen was quick to congratulate Norris on his first F1 win (Photo: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Brit has long been good friends with the three-time champion, but Norris fears a title battle could harm their relationship, perhaps in the same way Hamilton and Nico Rosberg\u2019s did during their years together at Mercedes.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m sure it will [change]. Like, I don\u2019t want to say it in a bad way,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have respect for one another, we get along. We\u2019re not best friends. We don\u2019t text each other every day, that kind of thing.<\/p>\n

\u2018But we just have a lot of respect from him to me and me back to him. So I look forward to it. I want to challenge him, I want to race against him.<\/p>\n

\u2018I want to battle because I think he\u2019s one of the best drivers ever in Formula One, so if I can prove myself against him, I\u2019m proving myself against one of the best, and that\u2019s exactly what I want to do.\u2019<\/p>\n