Lando Norris says Max Verstappen’s racing was not truthful within the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix and his title rival “acquired what he had coming to him” with the penalties he acquired.
Verstappen was handed a 10s time penalty for forcing Norris off observe in a battle at Flip 4 — when he was defending the within line towards the McLaren — after which one other 10s penalty for leaving the observe and gaining a bonus as he took each vehicles huge attempting to re-pass Norris 4 corners later. Norris felt the same incident in Austin every week in the past went unpunished.
“I feel it’s fairly self-explanatory on what occurred,” Norris stated. “I did every thing I’ve been advised by way of what the foundations are and the rules and all of these things, but it simply wasn’t to be. And, after all, he acquired some penalties for that.
“However … I’m going into each race anticipating a troublesome battle with Max. It’s clear that it doesn’t matter if he wins or second, his solely job is to beat me within the race. He’ll sacrifice himself to do this, like he did right now, however I wish to have good battles with him. I wish to have these powerful battles, like I’ve seen him have loads of occasions. However truthful ones.
“It’s at all times going to be on the road. It’s at all times going to be powerful with Max. He’s by no means going to make anybody’s life straightforward, particularly mine at this level of the 12 months. However I feel right now was simply… It was not truthful, clear racing. Subsequently, I feel he acquired what he had coming to him.”
Norris says he doesn’t see a necessity to speak to Verstappen about his racing, because the pair preserve a superb relationship off-track, and that he appreciates the championship chief has the power to stay aggressive defending his 47-point benefit.
“We discuss various things,” he stated. “It’s not my job, it’s acquired nothing to do with me in a method. Right now I felt like I simply needed to keep away from collisions and that’s not what you’re feeling such as you wish to do in a race.
“He’s in a really highly effective place within the championship. He’s a great distance forward. He has nothing to lose. Individuals can say it’s the opposite method round, like he’s acquired every thing to lose and it’s all for me. However it’s not the case, .
“It’s not for me. I’m centered on myself. I’m doing my very own job, which was a superb job right now. I’m proud of all of this and I’m proud of my entire weekend, however it’s not my job to regulate him. He is aware of the best way to drive, and I’m certain he is aware of that right now was most likely a bit over the restrict.”
Ending second to Carlos Sainz by 4.7s in Sunday’s race, Norris believes he truly had the quickest automotive in race trim however misplaced an excessive amount of time early on behind Verstappen.
“I’m proud of P2. Usually I wouldn’t be, however I feel on a day like right now, I used to be glad,” the Briton stated. “Issues appeared like they might go lots worse, particularly the primary a part of the race, so to maintain the automotive in a single piece and to form of maintain the race alive was necessary. The tempo was extraordinarily sturdy.
“A disgrace that we misplaced a lot within the first stint with a few of the battles that we had. If I used to be a bit extra in there and within the combine then I feel our alternatives may have been even higher. Carlos drove the primary stint very nicely and the hole was already 15s, so I had lots to try to catch up.
“The automotive was sturdy. Our tempo, particularly within the second stint — not likely the primary, however the second stint — was very, superb and form of gave me a little bit of hope once more that we have been aggressive in comparison with the Ferraris. Till then… They’ve been fairly dominant this weekend, so a superb race. Would have cherished to be on the highest step and it appears to be like like a cool podium right here. It was a cool podium, however I’m very glad with the P2.”
