Lando Norris’ reaction to the intense on-track battle with Max Verstappen during the Mexico City Grand Prix was both expressive and telling. For the first time, Norris reviewed the heated exchanges in the cooldown room after the race, revealing the depth of his feelings about the incidents that unfolded on lap eight.
In the race, the McLaren driver attempted an ambitious overtake on Verstappen around the outside of turn four. However, the maneuver took a tense turn when Verstappen pushed Norris off the track, forcing him to take evasive action and cut through turn five to avoid a crash. Once both cars returned to the track, Verstappen again edged past Norris by crossing the track limits at turn eight, further escalating the situation.
Verstappen’s driving decisions led to swift consequences, with the race officials issuing him two 10-second penalties for his actions. Additionally, the incident at turn four earned him two penalty points on his license, underlining the severity of the infractions in the eyes of race control.
Over team radio, Norris didn’t hold back his frustrations, labeling Verstappen’s driving as “dangerous.” He expressed his conviction that a collision was inevitable had he not acted quickly to avoid contact. The incident highlighted the fine line drivers tread between aggressive racing and safe competition, with Norris openly questioning Verstappen’s approach on the track.
The exchange between these fierce rivals added a layer of drama to the race, shedding light on the stakes at play and the extent to which drivers are willing to go in pursuit of victory. Norris’ candid reaction to the incidents, seen firsthand in the cooldown room, spoke volumes about the competitive spirit and tensions that define modern Formula 1 racing.