Lando Norris has weighed in on the recent clash between Max Verstappen and George Russell, suggesting the reigning champion’s fighting spirit won’t be dampened despite the looming threat of a race ban.
Norris, who knows Verstappen well from their intense battles on the track, believes that the Dutch driver’s competitive nature will compel him to continue fighting fiercely. Verstappen’s recent run-in with Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix led to a 10-second penalty and added three penalty points to his superlicence, bringing him perilously close to a race ban.
Despite the risk, Verstappen was defiant when questioned about altering his approach. His response was a confident ‘Why should I?’, indicating no intention to mellow his aggressive racing style. Lando Norris, who has had his share of high-speed encounters with Verstappen, agrees with this stance. During a media session in Montreal, Norris stated that Verstappen is one of the best because of his driving style, which he deems a simple fact that can’t be contested.
Acknowledging the incident with Russell, Norris noted that while Verstappen admitted to the mistake, it was an unusual deviation from his typical racing style. Norris highlighted that Verstappen’s success is largely due to his tenacity and skill, traits which he shouldn’t have to change.
Norris further argued against the notion that Verstappen should become less aggressive. “Nothing really changes,” he asserted, explaining that guessing other drivers’ moves is unproductive in the heat of competition. Verstappen remains focused on winning every race possible, continuing to vie for the championship with unrelenting determination.
As the tension builds in Formula 1, Lando Norris’s insights into Max Verstappen’s mindset suggest the champion won’t shy away from his characteristic aggressive tactics. With each race critical for the championship, both fans and competitors are left to watch how Verstappen maneuvers through the impending challenges.
