Lando Norris has branded Max Verstappen’s driving during the 2024 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix as “reckless” and “desperate” after the collision between the two cost them both a chance of victory.
Norris and Verstappen came into contact as the closing stages of the race at the Red Bull Ring got underway after long-time leader Verstappen lost almost all of his previous advantage during a slow pit stop.
After Norris went off at Turn 3 during an attack down the inside of the track’s tight, steeply uphill right-hander, where he felt Verstappen’s move to the right in the braking zone contributed to him locking up and sliding off the track, the Red Bull driver’s move to the left meant they collided as Norris at that point came to the outside line.
Verstappen suffered a left-rear puncture and dropped to fifth, with the stewards blaming him for causing the collision and handing him a further 10-second time penalty, while Norris retired in the pits with damage from his right-rear puncture.
Speaking to reporters after the race, Norris said of the incident: “There are rules about what you’re not allowed to do and what you are allowed to do.
“He was doing things you’re not allowed to do and he wasn’t penalized. I expect a tough battle against Max. I know what to expect. I expect aggression , pushing the limits and that sort of thing.
“All three times he does things that could easily cause an incident. And in a bit of a reckless way – he seemed a bit desperate on his part.
“He doesn’t need to be, he’s got a lot of wins. But he’s a little bit desperate to do what he can to not let me pass and I know it’s going to be aggressive.
“I’m not surprised, but I expected a tough, fair and respectful race, and I don’t feel like that’s what I’ve put him into.”
Asked to reflect on his driving against Verstappen – on Sunday in Austria and potentially in the future – Norris said: “I don’t think I need to change anything about what I do.
“I mean, I was on the sidelines, I didn’t know what else to do,” he added.
“He’s always been a bit like that. I respect Max a lot, what he can do and what he does every time he’s on track, but there are times when I think he maybe goes a bit too far.
“And I feel like today is a little bit like that. It’s an incident and at the same time, I know these things happen. (But) I’m disappointed. He ruined my race, destroyed my car. Those are the best moments. on the car (now) for the trash.
“We don’t have a lot of room to maneuver in the battle we’re in, in terms of improvements and budget caps and so on.
“My car is completely destroyed and here are all the items we need for next week.
“It’s not just a repercussion of what happens on track, it’s everything we have to carry to Silverstone and be disadvantaged by it. I just expected a little bit more from him.”
Additional reporting by Filip Cleeren
News Source : www.motorsport.com
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