Norris blasts Verstappen's "reckless" driving after Austrian GP clash
Lando Norris didn't mince words after a dramatic collision with Max Verstappen in the closing stages of the Austrian Grand Prix robbed both drivers of a potential victory.
The incident ignited a firestorm of controversy, with Norris accusing Verstappen of “reckless” and “desperate” driving.
Trouble began during Verstappen's second pitstop, a slow affair that erased his previously dominant lead.
Sensing an opportunity, Norris, who had caught up with his Red Bull rival, pounced on lap 63 as the pair entered the Red Bull Ring’s tight uphill Turn 3, with the McLaren driver on the inside.
Norris’ attempt was unsuccessful, but the Briton felt that Verstappen had undertaken an illicit move under braking to cover his rivals initiative.
But shortly after, Norris lunged down the outside of Verstappen at the same corner, only for Verstappen to drift slightly left and make contact with the McLaren.
The two cars then touched again on the exit of the corner, which left both drivers with significant damage: a punctured rear tyre for Verstappen and terminal damage for Norris, forcing his retirement.
The stewards took note of the commotion and ultimately handed Verstappen a 10-second penalty for causing a collision, a sanction that had no bearing on his fifth-place finish.
Speaking to reporters after the race, Norris held nothing back, expressing his frustration.
"He was doing things you're not allowed to do and not getting penalized,” Norris commented.
“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.
"So like 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."
Norris felt that he had done nothing wrong on his side, suggesting that the aggression was clearly on his rival’s side.
"I don't think I need to change anything I'm doing,” he added. "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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