The turning point of the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix came in the 64th lap, when Max Verstappen collided with Lando Norris in the battle for victory. Both have a different perspective on the incident.
Over the weekend, Verstappen won the Friday practice session and the shootout, Saturday’s sprint and qualifying at the Red Bull Ring, and had a good start to the race itself on Sunday.
At the second pit stop, however, Verstappen was delayed by the mechanics and Norris was able to get even closer to him.
On lap 59, Norris attacked Verstappen, but Verstappen quickly took the lead back. In the 63rd lap, again in the third corner, both got into a fight, and a lap later, Verstappen didn’t leave enough room for Norris and there was a collision.
Both drivers had to pit with the damaged car, where Norris retired after serving a five-second penalty for violating track limits, while Verstappen returned to the race and eventually took fifth place.
As the sports commissioners saw it
Car 1 (Verstappen) was coming into turn three and car 4 (Norris) was driving to the left of him. Before the turn, the driver of car 1 drifted to the left, causing a collision with car 4. The stewards decided that the driver of car 1 was most at fault and therefore, in accordance with precedents, imposed the above penalty.
Punishment: Penalty 10 seconds + 2 penalty points
Verstappen was found guilty by the stewards and given a 10-second penalty. However, it did not affect his result, as the sixth Nico Hülkenberg finished behind him with a bigger loss.
“10 seconds felt a little hard at the time because I didn’t feel like I was super aggressive with the move. For me it wasn’t movement when braking. Because every time I moved, I stopped braking. It looks that way from the outside, of course, but I think I know pretty well what to do in those situations,” said Verstappen.
“At times (Norris) sent it in there quite a dive, so he just lets it in and hopes the other guy can handle it. You don’t always race like that, but this corner encourages it.”
“I think the attack we faced was something I didn’t expect. Of course I saw it coming so I defended my inside a bit. We then collided with the rear wheels under braking and we both got a puncture, which is something you don’t want.”
Norris: I know I have to expect aggressiveness and riding on the edge from Max
Verstappen and Norris are good friends off the circuit. Now, for the first time, they got into an incident that ended in a collision on the track.
Norris said he expected such a fight from Verstappen.
“There are rules about what you can and cannot do. He did things you can’t do and wasn’t penalized for it. I expect a tough fight against Max. I know what to expect. I expect aggressiveness and driving on the edge,” Norris said.
“Three times he did something that could easily have been an incident. And he was ruthless in his way and seemed desperate. He doesn’t need it, he has a lot of wins. But he’s a bit desperate to do what he can to keep me from passing and I know it’s going to be aggressive.”
“I don’t feel like I have to change anything I’m doing. I was at the edge of the runway, I don’t know what else to do. He’s always been like that. I have a lot of respect for Max and admire what he can do and what he does on the track, but there are times when I think he has gone too far.”
Video: Verstappen and Norris collide
2024-06-30 16:44:43
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