Rare moments from Lando Norris and Max Verstappen’s bond: From karting days to emotional title battles

Lando Norris was all praise for four-time world champion Max Verstappen when he won the F1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi this month. He lost to Verstappen by just two points in the title fight, which went down to the last race of the season. Norris has always admired Verstappen ever since he met him during his karting days. As a way of celebrating their relationship, here are some of the special moments and pictures the two champions have shared in the past. Lando Norris, 26, hugged Max Verstappen, 28, as he was announced the winner of the F1 World Championship this year. While the Red Bull star claimed he wasn’t upset over losing the title, Norris was visibly emotional and felt all his and his family’s sacrifices were worth it. But four years back, it was a teary-eyed Verstappen who hugged Norris after winning his first F1 title in 2021. Sharing the moment on Instagram, Norris wrote, “Congrats World Champ. I got you, don’t cry @maxverstappen1.” Verstappen had beaten Lewis Hamilton by eight points in 2021 to win the title, while Norris finished sixth.Four years later, Verstappen beat Lando Norris by a decent margin of 63 points to grab his fourth consecutive F1 title in 2024. The McLaren driver shared a throwback picture of the two together to wish him on the occasion. “Congrats on the 4th title in a row mate, awesome drive this year. Was fun fighting you for it. Feels like yesterday we took this pic in karting,” Norris wrote along with the picture.Lando Norris mistakenly broke Max Verstappen’s Hungarian Grand Prix trophy in 2023 and apologised for it. It was later replaced by the organisers, proof of which Norris shared on Instagram. He simply shared the update, “It’s fixed,” alongside pictures and a video of Verstappen receiving the repaired trophy.After winning the championship this year, Norris told Sky Sports, “I think if this year has proved anything, it’s not from my side, but seeing Max come from 100 points back to where he did at the end, that’s incredible. He doesn’t need any more respect than what he’s got.”Lando didn’t have Verstappen by his side when he was honoured at the FIA Awards recently. Verstappen had called in sick but congratulated Norris via a video message.Also read: “The night I'd waited for my whole life.”: Lando Norris shares GRWM moments from FIA Awards