In a surprising twist, McLaren’s social media raises eyebrows by highlighting controversial moves by Max Verstappen.
- Anthony Davidson, a former F1 driver, analyzes Verstappen’s braking tactics during the heated Austrian Grand Prix.
- Lando Norris’s overtaking attempts on Verstappen reveal strategic maneuvers that stir debate among fans and pundits.
- Davidson’s analysis links past and present racing tactics, questioning Verstappen’s defensive driving rules.
- McLaren’s post ignites further discussion on fair play and sportsmanship in Formula 1 overtaking moves.
The recent drama between McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix has captured attention once again, thanks to a provocative social media post by McLaren. By sharing a clip with analysis from Sky Sports pundit and former Formula 1 test driver Anthony Davidson, McLaren appears to challenge Verstappen’s racing conduct during Norris’s overtaking attempts.
Davidson closely examines Norris’s attempts to overtake Verstappen, starting with the incident on Lap 55. Using footage from Norris’s visor cam and the rear-facing camera on Verstappen’s car, Davidson draws attention to a moment where Verstappen moves to the right under braking—a move he deems as guilty behavior. Norris’s quick thinking to avoid contact is highlighted as a smart and necessary reaction.
The analysis continues with Lap 59, where Norris locks up his tires during another attempt, needing to return the position gained after going off track. Here again, Davidson notes a sneaky move from Verstappen under braking, adding layers to the strategic battle on the circuit.
As the laps progress, Davidson observes a loss of confidence from Norris by Lap 63. This time, Norris attempts a wide maneuver to overtake, which Davidson interprets as a sign of hesitance against Verstappen’s unpredictable moves. Despite this, Davidson considers Norris’s actions justified and fair.
In a twist, Davidson compares this to an incident in 2019 involving Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, arguing that similar aggressive moves by Verstappen have gone unpunished in the past. The implications are clear: McLaren and Davidson suggest a double standard in the racing world, leaving fans and analysts to ponder the consistency of race adjudications.
Finally, on Lap 64, Davidson praises Norris’s final overtake, where he manages to force Verstappen off the racing line while still respecting the required car width. This maneuver, according to the pundit, stands as a fair play under racing rules, questioning the leniency towards Verstappen’s tactics.
The excitement around this analysis is not just about Norris’s skill but the broader interpretation of racing rules and fairness. McLaren’s bold move to air this clip seemingly supports the notion that Verstappen, who himself inspired the FIA’s rule against moving under braking, might be bending these rules.
The clip shared by McLaren gives fresh life to debates over Max Verstappen’s racing tactics and FIA rule enforcement.
