Lando Norris has finally broken his silence after facing a wave of backlash from fans following his recent criticism of Max Verstappen. The McLaren driver, who is known for his candid and often blunt comments, stirred controversy when he suggested that he and Verstappen were not as close as many believed, especially after years of appearing friendly both on and off the track.

The comments came amid the intense competition between Norris and Verstappen for podium positions in the 2024 Formula 1 season. With Norris emerging as one of the few drivers capable of challenging Verstappen’s dominance, tensions on and off the track have been running high.

Fans, who had previously seen the two drivers as friendly rivals, quickly reacted to Norris’ remarks. Many took to social media to express their disappointment, accusing Norris of turning his back on Verstappen after having benefited from their relationship in the past, including flying on Verstappen’s private jet during race weekends.

In response, Norris fired back, defending his stance and clarifying that his words had been misinterpreted. “People are quick to judge without knowing the full context,” Norris stated. He emphasized that while his relationship with Verstappen was cordial, it wasn’t as close as some fans had assumed. Norris further explained that his competitive nature and desire to fight for victories were the driving factors behind his comments, and not personal animosity.

Despite the back-and-forth, Norris has made it clear that his focus remains on his racing career and the competition for the 2024 F1 championship. With the season heating up and his rivalry with Verstappen intensifying, fans can expect more drama both on and off the track as the battle for supremacy continues.