Lando Norris says Max Verstappen’s racing was not truthful within the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix and his title rival “received what he had coming to him” with the penalties he acquired.
Verstappen was handed a 10s time penalty for forcing Norris off monitor 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 monitor and gaining a bonus as he took each automobiles huge attempting to re-pass Norris 4 corners later. Norris felt the same incident in Austin every week in the past went unpunished.
“I believe it’s fairly self-explanatory on what occurred,” Norris mentioned. “I did all the things I’ve been instructed when it comes to what the foundations are and the rules and all of these things, but it simply wasn’t to be. And, after all, he received some penalties for that.
“However … I am going into each race anticipating a tricky 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 immediately, however I need to have good battles with him. I need to have these robust 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 robust with Max. He’s by no means going to make anybody’s life simple, particularly mine at this level of the 12 months. However I believe immediately was simply… It was not truthful, clear racing. Due to this fact, I believe he received 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 mentioned. “It’s not my job, it’s received nothing to do with me in a method. In the present day I felt like I simply needed to keep away from collisions and that’s not what you’re feeling such as you need to do in a race.
“He’s in a really highly effective place within the championship. He’s a good distance forward. He has nothing to lose. Individuals can say it’s the opposite method round, like he’s received all the things to lose and it’s all for me. Nevertheless it’s not the case, you recognize.
“It’s not for me. I’m centered on myself. I’m doing my very own job, which was a superb job immediately. I’m proud of all of this and I’m proud of my entire weekend, however it’s not my job to manage him. He is aware of learn how to drive, and I’m positive he is aware of that immediately was most likely a bit over the restrict.”
Ending second to Carlos Sainz by 4.7s in Sunday’s race, Norris believes he really had the quickest automobile 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 believe on a day like immediately, I used to be pleased,” the Briton mentioned. “Issues regarded like they might go quite a bit worse, particularly the primary a part of the race, so to maintain the automobile in a single piece and to type of maintain the race alive was necessary. The tempo was extraordinarily sturdy.
“A disgrace that we misplaced a lot within the first stint with among the battles that we had. If I used to be a bit extra in there and within the combine then I believe our alternatives may have been even higher. Carlos drove the primary stint very properly and the hole was already 15s, so I had quite a bit to attempt to catch up.
“The automobile was sturdy. Our tempo, particularly within the second stint — not likely the primary, however the second stint — was very, excellent and type 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 liked to be on the highest step and it appears like a cool podium right here. It was a cool podium, however I’m very glad with the P2.”
