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Reuters

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Reuters

Ahead of the desolate Russian GP, McLaren celebrated an incredible 1-2 finish at Monza. The result turned out to be a required bonding experience for the Papaya teammates. Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris have won over the internet’s hearts as the long-awaited ‘Dando’ bromance is finally becoming a reality.

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Recently, the two reacted to vines and videos common to Gen Z pop culture. Ricciardo’s millennial behavior shone through, as he didn’t recognize a majority of the videos. Further, Norris poked fun at his Aussie teammate.

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Comparing the driver to a disheveled Australian, Norris said, “This is Daniel in his early 20s. It’s basically some guy who throws a party when his parents go away.” 

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Additionally, at the end of the video, a heartwarming yet somewhat confusing exchange takes place. Norris points out Ricciardo’s apparent gray hairs which shock the 31-year-old racer. Genuinely concerned, Ricciardo asks, “you’ll tell me if I do, right?” Norris answers his teammate with a straight face: “I would. I would pluck them out for you.”

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Read More: Lando Norris Issues an Emotional Message After Russian GP Heartbreak

As the two “form a brotherhood” in their odd way, we’re just glad to see the two get along. The age gap only makes Ricciardo the perfect big brother for Norris!

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A reason behind the two drivers’ initial distance was their 10-year age gap and difference in interests. However, now, the two jesters joke around together and were even spotted playing table tennis at Sochi. Now, it’s the same age gap that brings out shared laughter from the drivers.

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Norris bonds with Danny over interview

At Sochi, the two drivers faced the cameras again as they sat down to interview each other. Once again, the jokes dominated the main conversation. As Lando continuously taunted Ricciardo for stealing the McLaren win, the jokes were top tier. As Norris makes fun of Ricciardo for being too old, Daniel switches the joke to Norris’ young age.

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The age jokes started and ended with Lando‘s inability to grow a beard. Mentioning the age gap, Ricciardo sets himself as an example of what Lando can achieve, including a beard. As Ricciardo praised himself, Norris intervened. “Does it not start going downhill?” Ricciardo replied, “Not with these genetics, Lando.”

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Reverting to the beard issue, Daniel claims Lando can’t win a race till he grows a beard. Although the joke didn’t age well, Norris complained, “I’m trying for so freaking long! It just doesn’t work!”

Lando then throws shade at his teammate for his win at Monza. With his career-best P2 overshadowed by Ricciardo, Norris said, “It’s a shame you won… you kinda ruined it.”

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However, Norris doesn’t let the topic go. Later, he described the homecoming and placing his “little trophy” at the MTC. “Actually, you had the big one, mine was a smaller trophy.” The Brit even proposed the idea of swapping positions in a future 1-2 finish.

However, the most sober moment in the interview was when Norris quietly said, “I felt like we bonded.” It’s fair to say everyone felt it too. As the Russian GP was a minor bump for the team, the newfound trust and hunger for victory that the two teammates share will surely propel the Papaya team to many more 1-2 finishes. Till then, let the Dando content flow!

Watch this story: F1 Drivers Fighting on Track.

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Written by

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Shreya Sanjeev

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Shreya Sanjeev is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. Having attained a journalism degree from St Xavier's College, she finds comfort in the sound of her keyboard while typing and excitement in the sound of F1 cars speeding on a track. A street circuit and Daniel Ricciardo fan through and through, Shreya claims the 2018 Monaco GP to be one of her favorite races of all time. When she's not watching F1 races, she can be found watching NBA matches and rooting for the Golden State Warriors.

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