One of many burning questions following the Austrian Grand Prix was whether or not Max Verstappen and/or Lando Norris would change their racing type following a dramatic late-race collision that ended each drivers’ possibilities of securing a victory.
In accordance with Pink Bull Group Principal Christian Horner, Verstappen won’t be altering a factor.
Talking with Sky Sports activities forward of the British Grand Prix the Pink Bull boss backed his driver’s method whereas noting that future incidents between Norris and Verstappen needs to be anticipated given how each drivers are performing for the time being.
“Actually, from Max’s facet, he’s not going to vary,” mentioned Horner.
“There’s a component, I believe, of Lando studying easy methods to race Max and so they’re discovering that. Inevitably, there may be going to be extra shut racing between the 2 of them because the automobiles look so shut over the forthcoming races.
“Max is a tough racer – he’s in all probability one of many hardest racers on the circuit and all people is aware of that if you happen to’re going to race in opposition to Max, he’s going to provide nearly as good as he will get.”
Horner additionally addressed feedback made by McLaren Group Principal Andrea Stella instantly after the race. Talking with Sky Sports activities F1 analyst Ted Kravitz, Stella outlined how the reluctance of race stewards to intervene prior to now — reminiscent of throughout the 2021 season when Verstappen was battling with Lewis Hamilton — led to moments just like the incident in Austria.
As you may anticipate, Horner had a unique view.
“He raced extremely arduous in 2021, he’s a troublesome racer, and he hasn’t actually been racing anybody for 2 years as a result of he’s been out entrance a lot,” Horner mentioned.
“The battle between the 2 of them has been constructing over two, three, 4 races the place they’ve been racing one another intently and arduous, and in some unspecified time in the future that was at all times going to spill over – and it did at Flip 3,” started Horner. “He was punished in 2021 if he did one thing mistaken simply as Lewis, who he was racing so arduous that 12 months, was for issues he did mistaken.
“I believe it’s mistaken and unfair to label a driver like that and I’m certain within the warmth of the second it was irritating for Andrea, however that’s simply robust racing. He labored with Michael Schumacher [at Ferrari] for therefore a few years – he of all folks ought to know that.”
Throughout his dialogue with Sky Sports activities, Horner additionally addressed one other burning query following the Austrian Grand Prix: Have Norris and Verstappen mentioned the incident?
In accordance with the Pink Bull boss, that chat has already occurred.
“I perceive they’ve spoken already, I don’t assume there may be any concern,” added Horner.
How the 2 drivers deal with related battles going ahead shall be a serious storyline all through the remainder of the 2024 marketing campaign. However one factor is evident:
The FIA Press Convention schedules for this weekend’s British Grand Prix — which have but to be introduced — might be fascinating.
