In a dramatic turn at the Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen found himself caught in a collision with Lando Norris, sparking widespread debate over who was at fault.
During the tense Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen and Norris clashed on lap 64. Norris attempted a daring pass around the outside in the braking zone of Turn 3. However, Verstappen, defending his position, shifted left, leading to a collision that punctured the rear wheels of both vehicles.
Despite the stewards ruling Verstappen as ‘predominantly’ responsible, former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan came to Verstappen’s defense. On the Formula For Success podcast, Jordan likened Verstappen to a bear, illustrating his aggressive racing style. He emphasized that in racing, much like on the road, ‘the person in the front has the right of way.’
According to Jordan, when you’re leading a race, you have either outperformed through qualifying or sheer racing prowess, and it’s up to the drivers behind to navigate around you. His comments were echoed by others who pointed out Norris’s aggressive approach, further fueled by McLaren’s social media activity criticizing Verstappen’s actions.
Helmut Marko and Christian Horner also shared insights, highlighting the aftermath of two grueling races in Austria. They noted that previous tensions might have influenced the clash, suggesting a ‘hangover’ from earlier encounters, including a moment where Verstappen overtook Norris without DRS at Turn 4.
The aftermath saw Verstappen receiving a 10-second penalty, though it didn’t alter his fifth-place finish. On the other hand, Norris retired from the race, trailing Verstappen by a significant margin in the Drivers’ Championship.
Eddie Jordan’s defense of Verstappen underscores the complexities and high-stakes nature of Formula 1 racing, where strategic positioning and competitive instincts can lead to dramatic on-track altercations.
