Max Verstappen has said he won’t get embroiled in a “slagging” war with Lando Norris over his claim he would’ve won the 2024 Formula 1 title sooner in the McLaren.
Verstappen bagged his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship last term as he resisted Norris and McLaren’s advances to take the crown with two rounds to spare.
The Dutchman’s recent title success came despite Red Bull’s competitiveness nosediving mid-season when updates to the RB20 induced persistent balance troubles.
McLaren capitalised on Red Bull’s regression to go on to clinch the Constructors’ Championship, but multiple errors ensured Verstappen prevailed once again in 2024.
Verstappen, who scored 285 more points than his ex-team-mate Sergio Perez, argued he would have sealed the deal earlier with McLaren’s MCL38 car at his disposal.
Norris retorted Verstappen’s claim, however, contending that Red Bull’s substantial advantage across the opening rounds gave McLaren too much ground to make up.
But while he remains steadfast in his opinion on the matter, Verstappen has declared that he will not be drawn into a public debate with Norris regarding his credence.
Asked whether Norris’ denial came as a surprise to him, Verstappen responded to media including Motorsport Week: “No, but no one needs to respond.
“I know perfectly well for myself what I can and cannot do.”
Pressed on whether he felt Norris had been gracious in defeat, Verstappen added: “We don’t need to talk about that.
“We don’t need to spend time on trying to slag people off or whatever. The championship is done. We try again next year.”
Verstappen certain Norris relationship will remain ‘good’
Verstappen and Norris have been on good terms since the latter came into F1 in 2019, but their friendship was tested last year as the two endured numerous clashes.
With 2025 hosting the potential to see a blockbuster duel between them, Red Bull boss Christian Horner has asserted their bond will be under even “greater pressure”.
But Verstappen has denied that the on-track incidents since McLaren’s resurgence have had an adverse impact on his relationship with Norris outside the F1 paddock.
“People always make it really like a lot worse on social media,” he told Red Bull’s Talking Bulls podcast.
“There are a lot of idiots on that platform that always have something to say, something to complain about. There was a lot of positive people, but also some proper idiots.
“I think it’s better just to ignore all of that. But Lando and I, we get on very well.
“Of course, at times it got a bit tense on track, but off track, that shouldn’t matter. We always try to do the best we can on track to get the best possible result.
“You are fighting for a World Championship, so I think it’s normal that these kind of things can happen, but we’re good.”
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