Ralf Schumacher has cast doubt on whether Max Verstappen and Lando Norris are still friends as the ex-Formula 1 star suggests their intense battle for the 2024 F1 season may have fractured their bond following a series of controversial incidents.
The former Williams driver, and brother of Michael, pointed to recent behavioural changes and tense on-track incidents as signs of a growing rift between the two drivers as the pair no longer fly to Grand Prix races together.
The title protagonists of 2024 have long been known for their camaraderie off the track, even as they competed fiercely on it, continuing to hang out at private get-togethers as well as streaming online together whilst playing video games.
But a crash at the Austrian GP, as well as very near misses at the United States GP and most notably at Mexico GP around the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, could have burned their bridges down.
“I’m not at all sure that the friendship really exists even now,” Schumacher told formel1.de.com. “I was surprised. They used to always fly together, but that’s stopped recently.
“I can understand it, though. It’s hard to stay friends when you’re fighting for the championship and top positions as fiercely as they are.”
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