Formula 1 News: Norris Demands Apology from Verstappen Following Austrian GP Clash
Lando Norris, the McLaren driver, has expressed his disappointment and accused Max Verstappen of being “desperate” and “reckless” following their collision at the Austrian Grand Prix. The incident occurred on lap 64 of the Red Bull Ring Race, resulting in punctures for both drivers.
“If he says he did nothing wrong, then I’ll lose a lot of respect for that,” he said.
Norris, who was forced to retire due to the damage, criticized Verstappen for moving in a braking zone and initiating contact, which earned the Red Bull driver a 10-second penalty. The British driver expects an apology from Verstappen, with whom he has a cordial relationship, after the Dutchman initially refused to take blame for the incident.
When asked by Motorsport.com if he planned to clear the air with Verstappen, Norris replied, “It’s not for me to say, it’s for him to say. I’m trying to drive a good, fair race. It’s just not what I got in return from his side.” He further added, “I feel like what he did was unfair from my side three of the times. No warning was issued. He did it again the final time and ruined both our races, so that’s it.”
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Norris emphasized that if Verstappen maintains he did nothing wrong, it would lead to a loss of respect from his side.
Verstappen, on the other hand, expressed his intentions to discuss the collision with Norris, but wanted to wait until tempers cooled down. “We’ll talk about it, but not now. It’s not the right time, it’s better to cool down,” he said. “We’re all racing drivers. Of course, you don’t want to crash with each other. When you are fighting for the lead, it’s always tough battles.”
The incident has sparked debate in the Formula 1 community, with many drivers and fans weighing in on the issue. The controversy surrounding the clash has left many wondering about the ethics of racing and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions on the track. As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see how this incident affects the dynamics between Norris and Verstappen.
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