Lando Norris has taken a swipe at friend and fellow Formula 1 racer George Russell over how he has changed since joining Mercedes.
The pair have been close allies for many years, having formed a friendship as they rose through the ranks of the junior racing series. Both impressed enough in Formula 2 to get their F1 shot at the end of the 2018 season, and have gone on to convince many that they have what it takes to become a world champion.
Norris got the better seat initially, making his nest at the improving McLaren team while Russell had to prove himself while the historic Williams outfit was at one of its lowest ebbs. Still, he did enough to show his talent and now partners Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
It appears his friend Norris does not approve of the switch, though, with the McLaren ace taking a swipe at the man from King's Lynn over how he believes he has changed since stepping up to a top team. "My manager, my trainer, my parents, have always tried to keep me as me, rather than try to shape me," he told the Press Association.
"I see other drivers get shaped more because of who they are with, the teams they are with, and I don't think that is a good thing. It takes away their personality. Growing up with George for instance, was a lot of fun. He was a great person, but it is different at Mercedes – a different vibe and a different atmosphere. I just don't see as fun a side of him.
"George is a great person, and I feel like the personality he had a few years ago, he would be even more popular. I don’t think it is Mercedes' fault but the pressure of being with Mercedes, and having Lewis as a team-mate, is never going to be an easy thing.
"You don't want to be seen to be having a fun time and playing around, but on the other side there are no complaints because George is doing an amazing job this year, so it is working for him."
Norris also opened up on the nasty side of being in the public eye, detailing the horrific abuse and death threats he has received since making his F1 bow. "If I had seen the threats when I started in 2019, it would have had more effect, but now I understand when you have to laugh – not laugh at a death threat – but laugh at the silly comments people come up with and things they try to create to get attention," he explained.
"I want to race, travel the world, meet new people and create new experiences – and they are using their one life sat behind a computer in their bedroom looking to try and ruin, annoy and bully someone."
