For Max Verstappen, it doesn’t matter if his competitor is Lewis Hamilton or Lando Norris; he will fiercely pursue victory against anyone on the track.
Recent races have shown that Verstappen, even against close friend Norris, has no intention of holding back.
After a race in Austin, Verstappen smiled as he remarked, “I’m obviously not going to make it easy for him towards the end of the season.”
This reflects his intense competitive spirit, instilled in him by his father, Jos Verstappen, who taught him that winning is everything.
Verstappen admitted that his aggressive move on Norris at the first corner was planned.
While Norris left the door open for him, Verstappen seized the opportunity without hesitation.
Some speculated that Verstappen would race differently against a friend like Norris, but that was proven wrong in Austria, where Norris suffered a DNF.
In Austin, Verstappen’s determined attacks showed that he remains ruthless, regardless of friendships. He capitalized on any opening, prioritizing his goal of overtaking Norris.
Verstappen’s aggressive racing style hasn’t changed since 2021. He knows he must act quickly to capitalize on opportunities and will not give an inch to rivals. Norris, still learning this lesson, struggled in their battles.
Despite their friendship, Verstappen separates personal relationships from on-track competition.
He values their friendship but won’t alter his approach to racing, as victory is in his nature.
Norris appears to be managing the situation well, taking responsibility for his mistakes after the race. However, the challenge remains:
can he adapt his racing style to compete with someone as fierce as Verstappen? Like the friendship that deteriorated between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Norris may eventually face a similar choice: adapt to win or continue as the perennial second-best.
