McLaren’s Lando Norris has criticized Max Verstappen’s driving as desperate and reckless following their clash at the Austrian Grand Prix. The incident, which occurred on lap 64, saw both drivers suffer punctures as they battled for the lead. The collision ultimately knocked Norris out of the race and left Verstappen to finish fifth, while George Russell capitalized on the chaos to secure a win for Mercedes at the Red Bull Ring.
Norris and Verstappen, known for their fierce rivalry, had been engaged in an intense contest throughout the race. The collision happened during Norris’s third attempt to overtake Verstappen at turn three. Post-race, Norris did not hold back in his criticism. “I expect a tough battle against Max, I know what to expect, I expect aggression and pushing the limits,” Norris said. “But all three times he’s doing stuff that can easily cause an incident, and in a way it’s just a bit reckless, it seemed like a little bit desperate from his side.”
The clash marks a significant moment in the title race, with Norris trailing Verstappen by 81 points. Despite their friendship, Norris expressed frustration over Verstappen’s driving style. “I don’t think I need to change anything I’m doing, I was on the edge of the track, I don’t know what else I’m able to do, he’s always a bit like that,” Norris added. “There’s times where I think he goes a little bit too far.”
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella echoed Norris’s sentiments, comparing the incident to Verstappen’s controversial tactics against Lewis Hamilton during the 2021 championship. “The entire population of the world knows who was responsible,” Stella stated. “If you don’t address these things honestly, they will come back. They weren’t addressed properly in the past when there were fights with Lewis that needed to be punished in a harsher way.”
Verstappen, on his part, was more circumspect, suggesting that the incident was a racing matter that required further discussion. “We’ll talk about it, not now, it’s not the right time,” Verstappen remarked. He defended his actions by implying that Norris was overly aggressive in his attempts to pass. “I know fairly well what to do in these kinds of scenarios and a few of those were really late divebombs, so it’s a bit of a just send them up the inside and hope that the other guy steers out of it, which is not always how you race.”
Key Takeaways
- Collision Impact:Â The clash between Norris and Verstappen resulted in punctures for both, affecting their race outcomes significantly.
- Norris’s Criticism: Norris labeled Verstappen’s driving as reckless and desperate, expressing frustration over his aggressive tactics.
- Stella’s Commentary: McLaren’s team principal highlighted the need for stricter penalties for aggressive driving, referencing past incidents involving Verstappen.
- Verstappen’s Response: Verstappen called for a discussion on the incident, defending his driving as a standard racing move.
The Austrian Grand Prix incident adds another chapter to the ongoing rivalry between Norris and Verstappen, setting the stage for further drama in the Formula 1 season.