Lando Norris‘ first-ever F1 victory was a call to celebration. So to celebrate the big win, the McLaren driver was joined by Max Verstappen for a night of clubbing. We know that the two drivers are friends, but what’s lesser known is that they go way back to their karting days. With them racing against each other over the years, sure there is some friendship formed, but along with that comes a fierce rivalry.

Although Max Verstappen is the better driver, Norris is catching up soon. This was his first race win, there just might be more this season. But optimism aside, the gap is being closed and on track, and this has everyone wondering, will things change between the two?

Lando Norris wants to prove himself against the best

After the Miami Grand Prix, the Briton race winner was interviewed by Sky Sports F1, where he was asked about his viral party that was trending over social media. This brought up the question about his relationship with Max Verstappen.

The reporter asked Norris, “Partying with Max I think, when you were at the same venue with him on Sunday night. I mean, you’re friends with him, will, that dynamic change if you keep driving him off wins?” Asking the question that many want to know after seeing them party together in Miami for the McLaren driver’s win.

To this Norris replied, “I’m sure it will, not in a bad way, I’m not going to say in a bad way, we have respect for each other, we get along, were not best friends, you know, we don’t text each other every day, that kind of thing, but we just have lots of respect. Him to me and me back to him, so I look forward to it.”

The Miami GP winner then explained what it means to be racing against Max Verstappen for him saying, “I want to challenge him. race against him. I want to battle because I think he’s one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1 so if I can prove myself against him, I am proving myself against one of the best, and exactly what I want to do.”

On one hand, Norris is closing in on his gap from Verstappen, on the other hand, their relationships are starting to get rockier. While nothing might change between them outside the track, their minds will always be thinking about how to be the quicker driver.

Will Norris defeat Max Verstappen again?

Look, we know that the score is 1-58. Norris is far from being called a rival with such stats, but the truth is that the McLaren driver is still finding his flow. Once that happens, and the car gets quicker, it will be a more balanced battle. Although Red Bull driver is in the quickest car on the grid, Norris acknowledges him to be one of the best F1 drivers to ever live, and targeting to defeat that is no short of a challenge.

Recently Norris passed a lie detector test when he answered yes to the question of will he win a race. He believed it and he finally won. Another question that was asked to him was if he believed that he would become world champion. And he does! He believes it and just maybe he goes for it and gets it.

Do you think this will work out for him? Will Lando Norris be the next World Champion after Max Verstappen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.