Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have cleared the air following last weekend’s dramatic collision during the Austrian Grand Prix.
Both drivers copped a rear-wheel puncture after Norris attempted to overtake Verstappen around the outside of Turn 3 during the closing laps in Austria. Norris was forced to retire, while the Red Bull champion finished fifth after copping a ten-second penalty for his role in the incident.
After the race, Norris declared he’d lose “respect” for Verstappen if he didn’t admit he was to blame for the collision. However, the British driver has backtracked on those comments ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix in Silverstone, insisting Verstappen didn’t need to apologise.
“Some of the things I said after the race was because I was frustrated,” Norris explained to reporters on Thursday.
“There was a lot of adrenaline, lots of emotions and some of the things I said I don’t necessarily believe in.
“He doesn’t need to apologise and I don’t expect an apology. It was good racing, at times close to the edge, but we have spoken about it and we are happy to go racing again.
“It was a pathetic incident in that it ended both of our races. It was a small bit of contact, but with terrible consequences for both of us. There are things I need to do differently but he is not going to change too much.”
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Verstappen revealed the duo had buried the hatchet after discussing the incident on Monday and Wednesday, brushing aside any concerns about their friendship.
“The only thing that I cared about is maintaining my relationship with Lando because we are great friends,” Verstappen told reporters.
“After the race I said we had to let things cool down because emotions run high. We spoke on Monday and came to the conclusion that we really enjoyed our battle.”
However, the three-time world champion declared he won’t change his aggressive driving style.
“We go at it flat, that’s what we agreed to, that’s what we like to do and that’s what’s good for F1 as well,” Verstappen said.
“Like how you design a car, you try to go to the edge of the rules, maybe find some grey areas here and there and that’s the same how you race. Otherwise you will never be a top driver.”
When questioned about the backlash he’s copped following the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen claimed he doesn’t “give a s***”.
RICCIARDO JUMPS TO EX-TEAMMATE’S DEFENCE
Australia driver Daniel Ricciardo has jumped to the defence of Verstappen, arguing his former teammate’s collision with Norris has been blown out of proportion.
Ricciardo, who raced alongside Verstappen at Red Bull from 2016 to 2018, claimed last weekend’s incident was a result of competitive racing rather than reckless driving.
“You’re not going to just wave someone by,” Ricciardo told reporters ahead of the British Grand Prix.
“I think the contact, that can happen probably nine times out of 10 with no consequence.
“They’d been going at it back and forth, and maybe the angle was a bit awkward when they both entered, and obviously it ended Lando’s race.
“But I think the outcome was bigger than probably what was actually happening on track. From what I saw, at least nothing seemed over the top. Was it pushing the edge? Probably. But was anything dangerous or reckless? At least from what I’ve seen, no.”
Verstappen’s aggressive racing style, specifically his defensive moving under braking, has been under the spotlight since his dramatic duel with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton during the 2021 season.
Ricciardo, who infamously collided with Verstappen during the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, declared that tough racing was in Verstappen’s “DNA”.
“That’s just how he races,” Ricciardo continued.
“It’s kind of unconditional with him that you’re going to get a tough battle. It doesn’t necessarily change the way you race him. You just know that you’re going to have to pull off a really good move and make sure you make it stick.
“It sounds like people are probably hammering Max a bit and it sounds like it’s probably blowing a little bit out of proportion.
“He’s unchanged, but I think that’s the way he goes racing. Obviously he leaves it all out on the track and it’s also what a lot of fans have admired about him.
“But do I think he matured since the start of his career? Absolutely. So, yeah, it’s not like he’s finding himself in these positions all the time.”
