Max Verstappen has previously stated that Lando Norris is his closest companion among all Formula 1 drivers. Verstappen, Norris, and Penelope, who is Verstappen’s partner’s daughter, have a strong bond and have enjoyed several meetings together. Their relationship has now grown beyond mere friendship, as Norris was seen sharing an emotional moment with Penelope in Melbourne.
Penelope, who had never attended a race before, had the desire to witness her stepfather, Max Verstappen, win the Australian Grand Prix. Unfortunately, her dream did not come true. In contrast, Lando Norris had a fantastic weekend at the Melbourne event and secured his first podium of the season.
After the race, Norris was seen embracing Penelope, which was captured on video by Kelly Piquet. The two had a brief conversation, showing their affection for each other. Shortly after, Verstappen clinched victory in the next race in Japan, fulfilling Penelope’s wish to see him on the top step of the podium.
There have been ongoing speculations about the possibility of Verstappen joining a rival team, especially the German team. However, the team’s performance has declined since the introduction of the ground effect era, causing them to fall behind. Despite this, Verstappen’s loyalty to Red Bull remains unwavering, according to internal sources.
The team’s confidence in keeping Verstappen is supported by their current dominance in the sport. Red Bull is the benchmark and it seems unlikely that any other team could pose a serious threat to their advantage. However, with the transfer market constantly evolving, the next season promises to be intriguing.
