The Red Bull Racing Ring is not an exciting track, as overtaking is almost impossible. However, this time, the drivers’ audacity and brave moves have made it enthralling. The Austrian GP was collisions, crashes, penalties, and Verstappen not winning. While McLaren was in the run to win the silverware, an unfortunate event handicapped their setup.
As a result, George Russell was able to clinch the title, while Lando Norris was a mere spectator after lap 64. When Verstappen and Norris collided, both the cars were damaged. While Verstappen returned to the track, Norris had to retire. This has infuriated the two, and their friendship is on the line.
The Unfortunate Incident In Spielberg Sparks Tension Between Two Good Friends
While McLaren and Red Bull are rivals competing for the world title, their drivers, Max Verstappen and Landor Norris, share a great bond. Although Verstappen is way ahead in the points table, the Dutchman considers Norris one of his best friends. Once, he was asked to tell his top three friends from the grid, and Norris was on the list. However, the Spielberg incident could create a rift among the top two talented drivers. The young Australian driver was disheartened after the early exit. Lando Norris expressed frustration following a collision with Max Verstappen that cut his race short. In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Norris revealed his disappointment, emphasizing that he had anticipated a fair and decisive battle. However, the race did not unfold as he had hoped.
Reflecting on his performance, Norris stated that he had a mistake-free race and believed he had done an excellent job, only to be taken out of the race. He conveyed his frustration, stating, “It was a good race. I looked forward to probably, I’d say, just a fair battle, a strong fair battle. But I wouldn’t say that’s what it was in the end.” Norris also expressed uncertainty about the impact of the incident on his friendship with Verstappen. He mentioned that his respect for Verstappen would depend on the latter’s response to the incident. Further, if Verstappen admitted to making a mistake and being reckless, Norris said he would have some respect for that. However, if Verstappen claimed he did nothing wrong, Norris would lose a lot of respect for him. “I don’t know [if their friendship will be affected]. It depends on what he says. If he says he did nothing wrong, then I’ll lose a lot of respect for that,” he explained.
The 2024 Miami GP winner concluded by saying that he was not thinking about their friendship at the moment. His primary concern was his disappointment for the team, as he felt he had been fair in his approach to the race, while Verstappen had not reciprocated. “I’m just gutted for the team,” Norris remarked, emphasizing his dismay over the lost opportunity.
“Verstappen Needed To Be Punished In 2021,” McLaren Boss Has A Unique Outlook To the Entire Conundrum
McLaren boss Andrea Stella shared his perspective on the collision between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, emphasizing the importance of addressing such incidents honestly. Stella suggested that past conflicts, particularly those involving Lewis Hamilton, were not handled with sufficient severity. According to Stella, this lack of proper punishment has led to recurring issues.
Further, Stella explained that unresolved matters from previous races have resurfaced, affecting the current situation. He pointed out that the collision between Norris and Verstappen resulted from not addressing earlier incidents appropriately. “But the problem behind it is that if you don’t address these things honestly, they will come back,” Stella stated. He stressed that today’s issues result from inadequate responses to past conflicts, specifically mentioning previous fights with Lewis Hamilton that should have been punished more harshly.