After two consecutive triumphs, Red Bull’s winning streak was resuming. However, it suffered a significant setback in its own home when Verstappen failed to finish in the top three. As a result, the three-time world champion reacted angrily and showed his displeasure. The Dutchman attacked the team’s plan and questioned its attitude.
While McLaren blames Verstappen for the mishap, Helmut Marko defends him. The senior consultant backed his teammate after a horrific crash spoiled the team’s outing. Moreover, Marko discussed Norris’s radio remarks, claiming them unnecessary.
“Norris went over his limits,’ Marko Defends Verstappen After The Spielberg Crash
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris are currently the top drivers. While Verstappen is miles ahead in the points table, Norris has showcased his flawless skills. Thus, their battle is always fierce, as they portray all the racing abilities on the circuit. In Spielberg, the two locked horns to win the silverware. While Verstappen wanted to extend his Autrian record, Norris aimed to dethrone the champion. However, things went downhill as the two crashed on turn 3 in a vicious attempt to assert dominance. Meanwhile, there were some early close calls, but the two were lucky to escape. In one such effort to divebomb, Norris complained about Verstappen suddenly changing the line. This was heard on the radio, and Helmut Marko criticized Norris’s words.
Helmut Marko expressed his disappointment with Lando Norris’s behavior over the team radio, calling it “pathetic.” He suggested that while incidents like these are part of racing, Norris may have pushed beyond his limits. Following the race, Norris hinted that his relationship with Max Verstappen could be strained if Verstappen didn’t apologize or take responsibility for the incident. Marko believes that Norris’s demand for an apology from Verstappen isn’t constructive but noted that the two drivers would have a chance to discuss the matter. He also mentioned that, unlike their usual practice of flying together, Verstappen and Norris traveled separately this time, giving Verstappen a quiet return flight.
McLaren Chief Targets Max Verstappen After The Ugly Collision
McLaren president Andrea Stella spoke on the accident between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, highlighting the need to deal with such occurrences openly. Stella stated that previous confrontations, notably those involving Lewis Hamilton, had not been addressed appropriately. According to Stella, a lack of adequate discipline has resulted in reoccurring concerns.
Stella also indicated that unsolved issues from earlier races have reappeared, impacting the current scenario. He stated that the accident between Norris and Verstappen was caused by a failure to handle previous issues adequately. “But the problem behind it is that if you don’t address these things honestly, they will come back,” Stella stated.
