Max Verstappen F1 News: Lando Norris reveals champion's REACTION after 'pathetic' Austrian GP incident

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris — Photo: © IMAGO

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Norris reveals Verstappen REACTION after 'pathetic' Austrian GP incident

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen crashed in Austria

By Sam Cook.

Friday 5 July 2024 04:00

Lando Norris has revealed that Max Verstappen refused to apologise after their 'pathetic' incident at the Austrian GP.

Verstappen was comfortably leading the race at the Red Bull ring, when the champion suddenly found himself under pressure from Norris.

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Norris battled Verstappen hard for the victory, before a collision between the pair on lap 64 ended Norris' race, put Verstappen down to fifth place, and ultimately handed Mercedes' George Russell his second career race victory.

Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for his role in the drama, but the Dutchman has been on the end of harsh criticism since, with his aggressive driving style once again called into question.

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen collided in Austria

Norris reveals Verstappen conversations

Norris is Verstappen's closest title challenger as things stand, and goes into his home race with a chance of once again battling Verstappen for the race victory.

"Yep, we did (speak)," Norris revealed in Thursday's driver press conference.

"Honestly, I don’t think he needed to apologise. Some of the things I said in the pen after the race were more just because I was frustrated at the time, a lot of adrenaline, a lot of emotions and I probably said some things I didn’t necessarily believe in, especially later on in the week.

"It was tough. It was a pretty pathetic incident in terms of what ended both our races. It wasn’t like a hit, it wasn’t like an obvious bit of contact. It was probably one of the smallest bits of contact you could have, but with a pretty terrible consequence for both of us, especially for myself.

"He doesn’t need to. I don’t expect an apology from him. I don’t think he should apologise. I thought it was, as reviewed, good racing, at times maybe very close to the edge, but like I said we’ve spoken about it and we’re both happy to go racing again.

"We’ve gone over things a few times. I’ve learnt many things. I think a lot of stuff I was anticipating and knew about it. You’re fighting against different people, you’re fighting in different ways at the top compared to when you’re a bit further back like we have done the last kind of year or so.

"But at the same time, Max has a very different way of racing compared to a lot of the others. That’s some of the reason of why he’s a champion."

Red Bull Max Verstappen Mercedes Lando Norris George Russell