"Max Verstappen should have learned that Lando Norris is not his friend": Fans react to reports of the duo's direct exchange during briefing

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris reportedly had a 'direct exchange' during the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix drivers' briefing. As per reports, the two drivers exchanged words on their on-track skirmish during the 2024 United States Grand Prix. As the reports surfaced on the two championship protagonists' stand-off, fans began to react to it online.

Verstappen and Norris got involved in an on-track battle during the COTA race last weekend, where they battled for P3. Even though Norris won the battle initially and finished the race in that position, a five-second time penalty ruined his efforts.

The stewards noted Norris' movement where he went off track to pass Verstappen. As a result, they penalized the British driver. In doing so, the McLaren star dropped down to P4, and Verstappen climbed up to P3. Norris and McLaren were naturally unhappy about the penalty.

The Papayas later took the matter for a review, which was dismissed by the FIA. However, the bitter taste from the Circuit of The Americas remained and was reflected during Norris and Verstappen's 'direct exchange' for the upcoming Mexico City GP race.

As fans came across the news of Verstappen and Norris' exchange during the drivers' briefing, they reacted to it online. Here are some reactions taken from micro-blogging site X:

A fan wrote, "The friendship is over. Max should have learned that Norris is not his friend. The fight is on."

Another fan wrote about their newly found rivalry, "Oh ho, finally they become rivals."

A fan jokingly wrote, "divorce papers where."

"norstappen is over," wrote a fan.

"End of Norstappen," another fan wrote.

Another fan wrote, "Friendship is finally over!"

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are the two F1 drivers' championship protagonists this season. While the Dutchman is the favorite to lift the trophy, Norris still has five races and two Sprints to change that.

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Lando Norris clarified his stance on Max Verstappen friendship

Lando Norris of McLaren and Great Britain during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico. Source: Getty Images

Earlier this month, Lando Norris shared his stance on his friendship with Max Verstappen. The McLaren driver said that after he puts his helmet on, he "hates" everyone, and one could expect it to be Verstappen as well.

"As soon as I put the helmet on, I hate everyone," the British driver said. "That doesn’t change. A lot of people think because I get along with someone here, or because, I don’t know, just play on a game with someone, that you’re just best mates in life, no matter what you do. That’s just nonsense."

Max Verstappen currently leads the drivers' championship with 354 points, and he is ahead of Lando Norris by 57 points after the conclusion of 19 races, and four Sprints.