An apology to Lando Norris

Lando, I’m sorry.

On 25 October, this column ended with the line: “Norris must put glory above friendship if he’s to have the best chance of ever prevailing.” It insinuated the reason you didn’t fight Max Verstappen harder in 2023 – particularly at the United States Grand Prix you led early on, but also too in the British race where you did likewise – was down to your off-track friendship.

PLUS: Why Norris must fight Verstappen harder

The chief thrust behind this was desiring an eye-catching hook. One that arose from your starkly contrasting conversation with Verstappen in the Austin press conference room after that pulsating race, compared to the icy chat between the Dutchman and Lewis Hamilton just moments earlier.

As the end of a long season approached, there was talk in the paddock about the friendly, jovial relationships between the current crop of racers. And how this clashes with the pure loathing in generations of old.

Shades of that remain, sure, but there are those who feel the tone of modern driver relationships has changed to something very different. Whether that is good or bad for F1, the individuals or the wider world are other columns entirely.

But I recalled my post-Austin column hook listening to your post-Abu Dhabi GP press pen comments. Your response to a question asking: “How will you be able to stop your BFF, Max?”

You didn’t hold back.

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Norris insists he and Verstappen are not BFFs but have maximum respect for each other

“He's not my BFF, don't ever say that again” was the immediate reply. You went on to state that high levels of mutual respect are “as close as it gets” in terms of your relationship.

Right now, I can only imagine the comments on the social media posts containing this piece and the comments underneath it. But the thrust of the hook for this column came after we spoke last week for a season review interview organised by McLaren.

"I think one of those areas where I’ve done a good job this year is by reading the situations that I’m in, knowing who I’m racing against and who I’m not" Lando Norris

I asked you about racing Verstappen in 2023 and offered you a right of reply to my post-Austin words.

The rebuke was so deftly done.

“Loved that one!”

Delivered in with all the raised eyebrowness and smile you could cram into a tongue-filled cheek, or perhaps that exclamation mark.

And then we were both away. You delivered the following explanation, merrily blowing past our allotted timeframe.

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Norris says he is "realistic" in his on-track battles against different drivers in F1

“There’s a reason for things,” you began, the grin remaining. “And I think one of those areas where I’ve done a good job this year is by reading the situations that I’m in, knowing who I’m racing against and who I’m not.

“I know it’s a race in the end of the day, but the likelihood of losing a position to Max over the course of whatever that race was, I think it was like Austin or something, and how I raced Lewis versus how I raced Max, in the end I kind of knew I was going to lose positions to both of them.

“And that’s not a bad attitude, that’s just being realistic and honest about the situations I’m in. But the chance of keeping Max behind was basically zero. He was way too quick, his tyre degradation – I don’t know if anyone saw this year – was way better than everyone.

“I felt good at reading the situations that I was in. And just maximising my races, not just that lap or that one opportunity to try and beat someone. There’s no point ruining the longevity of your race trying to race one person that has a 99% chance of beating you because he’s in a quicker car.

“So, when Lewis overtook me, it was what, with six laps to go or something? [Close, it was eight]. He was on way fresher tyres, so still maybe not the best reason to race against him, but there was a lot more of a chance of keeping him behind potentially than there ever was with Max.

“And if I’d raced Max, I would’ve used a lot more tyres because he was a lot quicker. I only would’ve hurt my ability to extend a stint or only compromised my own race more than benefited it. And I think that was just one of the cases that I’ve done more often good than not on choosing my battles.

“Would I have loved to be more forceful and put on a better defence? Absolutely. Like, why would I not? I love racing and that is what I want to do. I don’t want to ever give a position up to anyone! Especially not Max!

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

Norris knows defending hard against Verstappen in most cases will only harm his own race

“But, you’re more likely to hurt your race later down the line. So, a lot of it is done for reasons and I think you’ve just got to ask yourself, not you, but ask, ‘Why would he not be wanting to race against him?’ Or, ‘Why would he race against him now?’ And you’ve got to know what situation every person is in.

“Maybe there are some races when I’m like, ‘Yeah, maybe I could’ve raced against him a bit more’ – because suddenly a safety car came out and then I was like, ‘OK, we would’ve been on the same tyres’. You can get lucky in different situations.

“But, more often than not, it’s just about making the right decision at the right time. And actually, not battling people often has gained me a lot more than trying to battle those people.

“That doesn’t matter if it gives the wrong perception out to people. Because I know I did it for a better reason. So, simply that.

My conclusion on why you didn’t race Verstappen harder was wrong. What wasn’t was the desire to see you racing him harder in any context

“But I did read the article! But something that I would say that you do is kind of question it at the same time. Like you’ve done now, you kind of question, ‘Why would he do that or why would he not? But people on the outside are too quick to judge again why I wouldn’t.

“[They say], ‘Ah it’s because he’s friends with Max’ and all of that stuff. Which couldn’t have anything less to do with it. If anything, that makes me want to beat someone more! If I’m friends with them than if I’m not.

“The worst excuse ever is to use that line. It’s just I pick my battles when I need too. But we’ll race against them next year, so I’m not worried.”

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Norris feels being friends with a driver makes him want to beat them more

I was left to reflect on a few things. First the charity in the response, which enhanced understanding without insulting – something not all sportspeople manage (in F1 terms this extends to team staff, as well as competitors). But also, on the role of the media in modern F1 and the context in which it operates.

In my four seasons in the F1 press corps, I’ve been struck by the utter entrenchment of certain positions. And for many journalists there’s no bringing them out, no matter how calm or reasoned the argument – or indeed those that are not. The ego development, let alone other unpleasantness, is staggering.

But I firmly believe the media must learn and grow – change positions and explain why if so. Hence this column and its headline.

Why not use my platform to demonstrate what I hope is personal progress on this topic? After all, we’re two weeks removed from England Rugby captain Owen Farrell deciding to take a break from international competition to prioritise his and his family’s mental wellbeing.

That has been interpreted as a response to the social media vitriol Farrell received ahead of the recent World Cup, the rise of which has forced traditional media into the ‘hot take’ culture that can wreak havoc if not done carefully and the utterly blurring of lines between opinion and news. And we know in motorsport drivers read their own press and social media account comments.

Lando, I appreciate you understand the nuance of what we try to do in our Autosport opinion columns, something this publication has done throughout its 73-year history. But my conclusion on why you didn’t race Verstappen harder was wrong.

What wasn’t was the desire to see you racing him harder in any context.

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Autosport's Alex Kalinauckas accepts his conclusions about how Norris races Verstappen were wrong

That will for F1 to return to the close-racing scraps of 2021 and early 2022. That such racing inspires joy.

You know it, clearly, Verstappen knows and so does Red Bull and so should its fans. After all, there’s a reason Christian Horner told Autosport in Abu Dhabi that Verstappen claiming the 2021 world title on that season’s final lap was the “the sporting highlight of my career”.

Your explanations for why you didn’t defend harder in Austin or attack again in Brazil are completely understandable. You clearly aren’t forgetting the near 1000 people in McLaren’s racing division relying on you and Oscar Piastri to deliver the points that can boost the fortunes of your team and therefore its employees’ livelihoods.

It’s up to McLaren and the rest to close the gap to Red Bull

That detailed explanation left me bouncing from the interview. Also clear is your self-reflection, which you said leads to “a lot of my best performances” when others see it as “you shouldn’t beat yourself up”. And clearly a vital part of your armoury.

But now comes the true challenge for those very people who rely upon you.

It’s up to McLaren and the rest to close the gap to Red Bull. Recapture the magic F1 fleetingly had, amid the cold reality that periods of domination happen.

Norris vs Verstappen in F1 2024. Anyone vs Verstappen in F1 2024. Please.

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Will Norris be the one to challenge Verstappen's dominance in 2024?