Lando Norris says he “knew what to anticipate” after being on the receiving finish of “not very clear driving” by Max Verstappen in Components 1’s Mexican Grand Prix.
One week after the pair fought arduous in Austin, a duel for which Norris was penalised for overtaking his title rival off observe, Verstappen and Norris once more battled within the early phases of the Mexico Metropolis race.
Norris attacked Verstappen for second place across the exterior of the Flip 4 left-hander, which might yield him the within for the next switchback.
As at Austin, Norris was pushed off by Verstappen, however as a result of this time the McLaren driver was forward on the apex it was Verstappen who was penalised. Utilizing the identical racing tips that had dominated the dialog over the previous week, the stewards handed Verstappen a 10-second penalty.
Verstappen then tried to retaliate at Flip 8 and went off whereas repassing Norris, sending each automobiles huge and forcing Norris to take evasive motion. The stewards handed the Dutchman one other 10-second penalty for leaving the observe and gaining a bonus.
Norris was vocal on the group radio about what he felt was “harmful driving” by Verstappen and stated afterwards he wasn’t stunned by his title rival’s strikes.
“I knew what to anticipate. I did not wish to count on such a factor as a result of I respect Max so much as a driver, however I used to be able to count on one thing like this,” he stated. “This isn’t very clear driving, in my view, however I prevented it, and it was a very good race.
“The primary few laps, a number of it was simply making an attempt to remain within the race and keep away from any crashes.”
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Picture by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
McLaren CEO Zak Brown congratulated the stewards for taking motion after the British group had been vocal about Verstappen’s racing model for some time.
“In all probability not sufficient,” he commented about Verstappen’s penalties to Sky Sports activities F1. “I imply, it is getting a bit ridiculous. I applaud the FIA stewards, sufficient’s sufficient. Let’s simply have some good clear racing shifting ahead.
Requested if he was happy with the FIA’s response, he replied: “I believe the stewards are on it. That is clear by the penalties that they assessed. So, I do not suppose we have to do something, simply let the stewards do their job. They did a very good job this weekend.”
