Verstappen experiences difficulties with a fresh major adversary.
F1's top contenders face off: Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. These two drivers are currently dominating the stage, analogous to the boxing duo, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Verstappen, a three-time world champion, and Norris, a rising star from McLaren, are absolute powerhouses on the racetrack.
Prior to the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Verstappen and Norris watched the Fury-Usyk fight, which ended late in the night. Norris admitted that he only managed a few hours of sleep due to the excitement of the match. Verstappen, on the other hand, felt drained from the race's demanding conditions.
Overpowering the Discomfort
"My back, everything hurts, it was just so bumpy out there. I could really feel my back after 20 laps," shared an exhausted Verstappen after his fifth win. "I'm just looking forward to lying in bed, maybe taking some painkillers, and having a massage."
Despite the strain on him, Verstappen managed to maintain a 0.725-second lead over Norris. The two were neck and neck in the final stages of the race, with their tires degrading and energy reserves dwindling. Verstappen, who had already received a warning from the race stewards for exceeding the track limits multiple times, could lose a potential penalty points swing that could cost him the race. "The last 10 laps were the hardest, I was completely at the end, but my driving was enough to outshine the issues," he explained.
A Closing Gap
The way Verstappen eked out the win over Norris further solidifies his status as a dominant driver. However, his recent performance marks a decline in the gap between Red Bull and their competitors, McLaren and Ferrari. McLaren's Norris, who catapulted into the spotlight with his win in Miami, is now 60 points behind Verstappen in 4th place.
Breathing New Life
"We are now at a point where we can say, with great joy, that we are on par with Ferrari and Red Bull," said a pleased Norris. Yet, he still has some catching up to do, trailing behind Verstappen considerably. Despite the huge gap in the championship standings, Verstappen demonstrated his prowess off the track with a double victory at the virtual 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.
In Spain, 'AS' couldn't help but take a jab at Verstappen. "Perhaps he is no longer satisfied with one victory in F1 and needs another challenge for the weekend. Perhaps he'll wear a funny outfit, do a charity project, or tend to bees. Perhaps he'll even switch teams to see what happens."
An impressive history of racing triumphs, both on-track and in virtual races, lie ahead for Verstappen and Norris, making their rivalry a permanent fixture in the world of motorsports.
Verstappen and Norris have even tasted joint success in the virtual world. In 2019, they emerged victorious from the virtual 24-hour race at Spa. At that time, Norris had just entered F1, while Verstappen was still in the shadow of Lewis Hamilton. Five years later, these battles are expected to be thrilling. Red Bull's championship leader commented, "It's going to be exciting for the remaining 17 laps of this duel. It's really a match made for challenging the best in motorsports."
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Source: www.ntv.de
