Lando Norris admits fault and takes responsibility, confessing that he was the instigator of the clash with Max Verstappen during the United States Grand Prix. The British driver found himself in trouble right from the first lap.
Verstappen Seizes His Opportunity in Turn 1
In the opening lap of the race, Verstappen aggressively dove inside Norris at turn 1, forcing both drivers off the line. This allowed Charles Leclerc to seize the lead. Although Verstappen’s daring move could have drawn criticism, the stewards overlooked the incident as it occurred in the first lap.
Later in the race, the duo encountered each other again when Norris was battling for the final podium spot. Verstappen once again pushed Norris wide, and despite both drivers ending up off the track, the McLaren driver received a time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
Norris Takes Responsibility
Despite the controversy following the race, Norris admits that he could have prevented the situation by defending better in the opening stages. “I made a mistake in turn 1 and that set the tone for the rest of the fight,” the Brit explains. “If I had defended better and not driven like a ‘muppet’, I could have maintained the lead and we wouldn’t be having this discussion now.”
Norris acknowledges that he could have performed better in the final stages of the race, but ultimately enjoyed the duel. “It was a good fight, even though we didn’t come out as winners because I wasn’t sharp enough.”
Respect for Verstappen
Despite the intense battle, Norris also has praise for his rival. “Max Verstappen did an excellent job. What we do is incredibly difficult, especially when you’re driving side by side and trying to gauge where to brake. The tires are worn, you’re driving faster thanks to the battery, and there are many factors such as dirt on the track and bumps that make it difficult. I respect the fight we had, it was tough but fair,” says Norris.
