Heading into the British Grand Prix, the principle subject on everybody’s thoughts in Method 1 remained the earlier race, final weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. Specifically, the second the place it appeared that every part modified, when Lando Norris and Max Verstappen collided on Lap 64, ending every driver’s probabilities at bringing dwelling a victory.
A lot was mentioned and written — in addition to debated — concerning that incident. Past the same old queries concerning fault and the way the incident was dealt with by race stewards, many questioned if it might influence the connection between the 2 drivers, who’re buddies away from the observe.
At Thursday’s FIA Press Convention forward of the British Grand Prix Norris addressed the incident, strolling again a few of his harsher feedback within the post-race tv pen in addition to indicating that the drivers have spoken for the reason that collision and that they’re “completely satisfied” to simply to racing once more.
“Actually, I don’t assume he wanted to apologize,” mentioned Norris Thursday. “A few of the issues I mentioned within the pen after the race had been extra simply because I used to be annoyed on the time, plenty of adrenaline, plenty of feelings and I most likely mentioned some issues I didn’t essentially consider in, particularly afterward within the week.
“It was powerful. It was a reasonably pathetic incident by way of what ended each our races. It wasn’t like successful, it wasn’t like an apparent little bit of contact. It was most likely one of many smallest bits of contact you could possibly have, however with a reasonably horrible consequence for each of us, particularly for myself.”
Pressed on whether or not Verstappen wanted to apologize for the incident Norris conceded that there was no want for an apology and that the 2 have spoken for the reason that Austrian Grand Prix.
“He doesn’t must. I don’t count on an apology from him. I don’t assume he ought to apologise,” mentioned Norris. “I assumed it was, as reviewed, good racing, at instances perhaps very near the sting, however like I mentioned we’ve spoken about it and we’re each completely satisfied to go racing once more.”
Norris additionally admitted that there are issues he must do “barely” otherwise sooner or later, however that he wouldn’t be altering his racing model dramatically in future battles with Verstappen.
Nor does he count on something completely different from his Crimson Bull rival.
“I feel sure, there are positively issues I must do barely otherwise however in the long run of it, I don’t assume he’s going to alter an excessive amount of, I don’t assume I want to alter an excessive amount of,” mentioned Norris. “May we’ve got prevented the crash? Positively, as a result of I simply might have used extra kerb. However there’s issues from each side that I’m certain we wished to do higher or in a barely completely different approach.”
Bringing his feedback to a detailed Norris outlined that greater than anything, he’s excited to resume his combat with Verstappen on-track.
“It’s clear how he races. It’s powerful, it’s on the restrict. It’s what we love, it’s what I like,” Norris mentioned. “I completely loved the entire combat I had with him. In fact it was a disgrace issues ended the best way they did. However aside from that, issues are clear from what you see on TV and I’m excited to go racing once more this weekend.”
