Lando Norris has revealed he met Max Verstappen to clear the air after their indignant conflict eventually week’s Austrian Grand Prix however whereas the British driver says the pair are nonetheless “nice mates” the Dutchman has insisted he is not going to be altering his driving model.
Norris, who needed to give up the race after being hit by Verstappen on the Purple Bull Ring throughout a battle for the lead, was livid within the aftermath and accused Verstappen of being reckless and determined, and demanded that the Dutchman apologise to him.
However talking earlier than this weekend’s British Grand Prix, Norris stated he had spoken to Verstappen twice this week and felt his response had been within the warmth of the second.
“A few of the issues I stated after the race was as a result of I used to be annoyed. There was plenty of adrenaline, a number of feelings and among the issues I stated I don’t essentially consider in,” he stated. “He doesn’t have to apologise and I don’t count on an apology. It was good racing, at instances near the edge, however we’ve spoken about it and we’re blissful to go racing once more.”
Verstappen, who was penalised however managed to proceed to complete fifth, extending his lead over Norris by an additional 10 factors, made it clear that coming to a rapprochement together with his buddy had been of paramount significance.
“The one factor that I cared about is sustaining my relationship with Lando as a result of we’re nice mates,” he stated.
“After the race I stated we needed to let issues settle down as a result of feelings run excessive. We spoke on Monday and got here to the conclusion that we actually loved our battle.”
Verstappen additionally stated each drivers would welcome one other shut combat at Silverstone this weekend however that he wouldn’t mood his driving model.
“We go at it flat, that’s what we agreed to, that’s what we love to do and that’s what’s good for F1 as nicely,” he stated. “Like the way you design a automobile, you attempt to go to the sting of the foundations, perhaps discover some gray areas right here and there and that’s the identical the way you race. In any other case you’ll by no means be a prime driver.”
Norris did, nonetheless, agree with the feedback made by his McLaren staff principal, Andrea Stella, after the incident in Austria. Stella acknowledged unequivocally he believed Verstappen had been emboldened to drive as he does as a result of he had not been punished for it prior to now.
“I believe Andrea’s acquired an excellent quantity of sensibility with how he talks and the issues he talks about, so undoubtedly I believe sure elements are true,” he stated. “On the entire, I agree with what Andrea says.”
Norris stated he was disillusioned {that a} comparatively minor incident had price him the race however famous that he knew he must regulate his model in future when going wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen.
“It was a pathetic incident in that it ended each of our races. It was a small little bit of contact, however with horrible penalties for each of us,” he stated. “There are issues I have to do in another way however he’s not going to alter an excessive amount of.”
Lewis Hamilton, who was on the receiving finish of a few of Verstappen’s controversial manoeuvres in the course of the pair’s battle for the 2021 world championship, declined to grow to be concerned within the debate over Verstappen’s driving model when requested about it at Silverstone.
Going into this weekend’s grand prix, the twelfth spherical of the season Verstappen leads Norris by 81 factors on this planet championship.