Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were in high spirits during the pre-season test in Bahrain, sharing laughs and anticipating a competitive yet respectful rivalry once the new Formula 1 season begins. The two were involved in a series of tense incidents last year, particularly in the second half of the season when they battled for the title. These included notable on-track clashes in Austria, Austin, and Mexico, with Verstappen controversially forcing Norris off the track. After the race in Mexico City, where Verstappen was penalised, Norris voiced his dissatisfaction, saying, “Today was not fair, clean racing, therefore he got what he had coming to him.”
Despite the intensity of their on-track encounters, the pair have long shared a friendly relationship. In Bahrain, during a press conference, they demonstrated no signs of lingering animosity, and both were quick to dismiss any suggestions of a fractured relationship. When asked about their dynamic after last season’s clashes, Verstappen joked, “It’s a terrible relationship, we don’t get along any more. It’s taken its toll. Big drama now, big problems.” Norris played along, adding, “We had a fight the other day in a local pub,” before Verstappen quipped, “I always say you should see the other guy, but actually he still looks good.” The pair’s playful exchange drew laughs, showing that there was no lingering bad blood.
Norris further clarified that while they get along, he still expects intense competition on track. “We both look forward to more battles,” he said. “I don’t think it’s just going to be us. I think there’s going to be others involved, which will make it more exciting for everyone. I know they’re going to be tough battles, and I’m sure some of them are not always going to end the way I want or hopefully Max wants.” He emphasized the mutual respect between the two drivers, stating, “We’re racing drivers. We get along. I know everyone tries to make their own points and say what’s correct and what’s not correct. But we respect each other a lot, and we look forward to more racing on track.”
Despite the jovial mood off the track, the weather during the second day of testing caused some disruption. Light but persistent rain in the morning caught many teams off guard, with only Aston Martin and Haas bringing wet-weather tyres. The rain wasn’t heavy enough to cause major problems, but it still led to a significant delay in running. Teams had chosen their tyre allocation for the test beforehand, and the rain exposed the lack of wet-weather tyres in many teams’ supplies. Haas’s Esteban Ocon made a brief appearance on track, completing a few laps while the rest of the field remained in the pits. Haas took to social media, cheekily mocking the others: “Where’s everyone else at on track? Forget your inters did you?”
Despite the interruptions, there were some impressive performances on track. In the opening session, Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets, driving for Ferrari in his first outing with the team. He completed 45 laps, finishing four-tenths of a second ahead of his former Mercedes teammate George Russell. Later in the day, Carlos Sainz was the quickest in the afternoon session, posting a time just three-hundredths of a second faster than Hamilton’s earlier effort. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also made his presence felt, securing third position. With the season just around the corner, it’s clear that the competition will be fierce, and the pre-season test in Bahrain has only heightened anticipation for what’s to come.
