Tensions have escalated between Formula 1 drivers Lando Norris and Max Verstappen after a contentious collision during the Austrian Grand Prix, dramatically impacting the race’s final stages. The incident not only resulted in Norris retiring from the race due to extensive damage to the McLaren but also saw Verstappen managing a fifth-place finish — far from the podium he had aimed for. Ultimately, it was George Russell who benefited and clinched the win.
The late-race collision unfolded when Verstappen, having lost his extensive lead due to a slow pit stop, veered right during a crucial braking moment at Turn 3. Norris, attempting an aggressive inside pass, was forced to switch to an outside maneuver, leading directly to their collision. Both drivers sustained punctures, with Norris’s McLaren suffering significant damage.
The stewards quickly intervened, attributing blame predominantly to Verstappen and issuing him a ten-second time penalty for his role in the crash. Meanwhile, Norris, visibly frustrated, lamented the incident’s unfair nature and its severe repercussions. He explained during the Sky Sports F1 broadcast, as quoted by GPBlog:
“It depends what he says. If he says he did nothing wrong, then I’ll lose a lot of respect for that. If he admits to being stupid, running into me, and being reckless, then I have a small amount of respect.
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“I’m disappointed. It was a good race. I looked forward to a fair battle, but I wouldn’t say that’s what it was. Tough one to take. A mistake-free race from myself. I did a good job, but I was taken out of the race. You’re not allowed to react to another driver, and that’s what he did three times out of three. Two times, I managed to avoid it. Third time, he ran into me. He ruined his own race as much as he ruined mine.”
A dejected Norris also highlighted the broader impact of the crash, pointing out the crucial loss of car parts, which are essential for upcoming races. In a separate interview, the British driver explained, as quoted by Autosport:
“There’s rules for what you’re not allowed to do and you’re allowed to do. He was doing things you’re not allowed to do and not getting penalised. I expect a tough battle against Max. I know what to expect. I expect aggression and pushing the limits and that kind of thing.
“All three times he’s doing stuff which can easily cause an incident. And in a way just a bit reckless – he seemed like a little bit desperate from his side. Doesn’t need to be, he’s got plenty of wins. But a bit desperate to do what he could to not let me pass and I know it’s going to be aggressive. I’m in a way not surprised, but I just expected a tough, fair, respectful on the edge bit of racing and I don’t feel like that’s what I got him into.”
The McLaren driver added:
“I don’t think I need to change anything I’m doing. I mean, I was on the edge of the track, I didn’t know what else I’m going to do. He’s always been a bit like that. I respect Max a lot and what he can do and what he goes out and does every time he’s on track, but there’s times when I think he goes maybe a little bit too far.
“And I feel like today is a little bit of that. It’s one incident and at the same time, I know these things happen. [But] I’m disappointed. He ruined my race, destroyed my car. These are the best bits on the car [now] for the bin. We don’t have a lot of space in the battle that we’re in, in terms of upgrades and budget cap and things like that.
“My whole car is destroyed and these are all the bits that we need for next week. It’s not just a repercussion of what happens on the track, it’s everything that we have to carry in Silverstone and be disadvantaged by. I just expected a bit more from him.”
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