Max Verstappen says “idiots” on social media made his relationship with Lando Norris over the 2024 F1 season sound worse than the truth.
Verstappen and Norris have been good friends from the track since meeting in karting more than a decade ago but experienced their first title fight in F1 this year.
The pair faced the Austrian in June before controversial events in Austin and Mexico City in October as Verstappen came under increasing pressure to maintain his championship advantage.
Verstappen went on to seal a fourth successive title after a stunning victory in Sao Paulo, before finishing ahead of Norris at the GP in Las Vegas where he was crowned champion.
“People always make it worse on social media. There are a lot of idiots on that stage who always have something to say, something to complain about,” Verstappen said on the Red Bull podcast. Talking Bull.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Craig Slater looks back at the key moments of the 2024 F1 season, including Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari, the infamous swearing ban, and Max Verstappen's unique haircut!
“There are a lot of good people, but also some real idiots. I think it's best to just ignore all that.
“Lando and I, we got along really well. Of course, at times it got a little tight on the track but off the track, that shouldn't matter. We always 'trying to do the best we can on the way to get the best result.
“You're fighting for the World Championship. I think it's normal that things like this happen, but we're good.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Check out these new angles of Max Verstappen taking Lando Norris off the track twice during the Mexico City GP
Verstappen says he has almost 'destroyed' room ahead of the Sao Paulo GP
It was the day that defined the title race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix when Verstappen pitted from 17th to claim his first victory in over four months, while Norris finished pole-sitter in the sixth place.
Heavy rain meant Qualifying was held on Sunday morning, before the race, and as a result of Lance Stroll's crash at the end of Q2 Verstappen missed Q3 due to the unfortunate timing of the yellow and red flags, and his five- space for a new engine relegated it to the second row of the grid.
“I was very upset with Certificate. I wanted to destroy my room but I walked into my room and my father was sitting there,” he said.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lance Stroll crash prompts premature end to Q2 with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez missing out on Q3 in Brazil
“He was a calm person, very calm. I was so angry then I saw him so calm, that he calmed me down. I walked in … when I think back on the day, I could for me to feel a lot in the office, when we were preparing for the race there were a lot of sad faces because you start P17, your main rival starts first, and as that could be a move a lot of points and we couldn't have that at that stage of the tree.
“Everyone was a bit worried but then it rained. It was a rainy day. I jumped in the car. I like driving in the rain but you don't know what will happen because at the same time you might be taken out, or you will spin off the path yourself, because it is very difficult.
“But then how fast the race went, it was good, it was nice. I really liked it. I felt good with the car. Step by step, driving to the face again. It was a relief to be on the podium. As soon as I won that race I was like 'that's it'.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
After Carlos Sainz's accident brought out the safety car, Max Verstappen passed Esteban Ocon for the race in Brazil
Verstappen compares Brazil 2024 with Abu Dhabi 2021
Verstappen, who will do some skiing and sim racing over the F1 winter break, will next season have the chance to join Michael Schumacher on five consecutive titles.
His first championship was the most controversial due to race leader Michael Masi restarting the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which ended with one lap to go, only allowing the back marks to enter between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton through.
Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lap of the season to come out on top in an already controversial season and drew comparisons between this year's race in Brazil and Abu Dhabi 2021.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Martin Brundle believes Max Verstappen was 'class one' when he won at the Sao Paulo GP and says Lando Norris will learn a lot ahead of next season's new championship battle.
“I wouldn't want to relive Brazil because it was so emotionally draining that day that I can't do that again. It's the same as reliving my first title that day .I think that day will die,” said the four-time world. a champion
“People I saw that day, especially my girlfriend Kelly (Piquet). She came into my room before the race and usually I'm not really nervous. Well done.
“But she said my hands were ice cold. You don't want to relive those moments. It's amazing to watch them, but you don't want to relive them.”
Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2025 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1, starting with the Australian GP on March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
