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Verstappen’s Conduct in Mexican GP Under Scrutiny
In the wake of the Mexican Grand Prix, Lando Norris has expressed his belief that Max Verstappen is aware of his errors during the race and needs to reconsider his racing tactics moving forward. The three-time Formula 1 champion incurred two 10-second penalties for incidents involving Norris, one for forcing the McLaren driver off the track at Turn 4 and another for gaining an advantage after leaving the track at Turn 7.
Norris emphasized his respect for Verstappen, but felt disheartened by the championship leader’s conduct throughout the competition, highlighting that his primary goal was to prevent Verstappen from accumulating additional points.
“We haven’t talked, and I don’t believe we need to,” Norris stated. “I don’t have anything further to say.” He acknowledged having a great deal of respect for Verstappen’s accomplishments but clarified that the recent interactions did not warrant extra acknowledgment. “It’s not my responsibility to guide him; I’m not his mentor,” he added.
The McLaren driver remarked that Verstappen is well aware of his missteps, saying, “Deep down, he knows what he’s done wrong. It’s up to him to adjust, not me.” Norris also noted that Verstappen is undoubtedly one of the most skilled drivers on the grid, well-versed in the limits of racing conduct.
Norris underlined that he intends to maintain his racing principles when facing Verstappen, asserting that he prides himself on his ability to avoid contentious incidents on the track. Although he admitted to possibly suffering from a lack of aggression in some situations, he maintained that the cumulative benefits of keeping a clean race have been substantial over a season, particularly in a cost-cap environment.
“Staying out of trouble and preserving the car has always been a strong point in my career,” Norris explained. “Those seemingly minor decisions can significantly impact a championship. I’ve always aimed to compete fairly and ethically. Perhaps there are moments when I’ve been too lenient, in both offense and defense, but I believe I’ve consistently made prudent choices.”
Norris acknowledged that while being less aggressive might have cost him at times, numerous incidents require drivers to navigate potential collisions, even when those situations may not be apparent to viewers. “There are many occasions where you have to sidestep danger that viewers may not see on television,” he noted.
As the season progresses, Norris expressed optimism regarding future races, indicating his desire for clean and fair competition. “I approach this weekend with the expectation of honest and clean racing, which I believe should be the standard we all strive for,” he concluded.
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