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Norris likes the Russell/Verstappen feud: "I enjoy watching them argue"
- Estéban den Toom
Lando Norris says he "enjoys watching" Max Verstappen and George Russell "argue like they do" at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. After Verstappen was given a penalty due to Russell driving slowing at the Qatar Grand Prix, both drivers had more things to say to each other at the Yas Marina Circuit.
In Qatar, Verstappen said that he had "lost all respect" for Russell after his behaviour in the stewards' room, and he doubled down in the FIA press conference on Thursday, as well as talking to Dutch media. Russell was not impressed by those comments, snapping back at the Dutchman and some of his conduct that has been seen since he joined the F1 grid.
Norris also addressed Verstappen's penalty that he received in Qatar, and he did understand the Mercedes driver: "You have the two sides. You have the side that we're paid to come here and to race and to perform well for our team. In some ways, no matter what cost you want to win and you want to give yourself the best opportunity. For George, that was by saying probably what he said and doing what he did," the McLaren driver said in front of GPblog.
Norris enjoys bickering Verstappen and Russell
Finally, the number two in the World Drivers' Championship said he can secretly enjoy the whole saga with Verstappen and Russell. "But everyone does things their own way. Some fight harder for things, some fight less. But I enjoy watching them argue like they do," Norris said in Abu Dhabi.
Norris was on form anyway during the press moments in the Middle East. When asked about the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, which will disappear from the Formula 1 calendar after 2026, he said Verstappen should actually pay for it out of his own pocket.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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