Verstappen and Norris had a collision during the Austrian GP, causing damage to both drivers’ races.
Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, believes that Lando Norris’ disappointment over his defeat in the Sprint race influenced his inevitable clash with Max Verstappen in the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen was comfortably leading the race at the Red Bull Ring until a slow pit stop allowed Norris to close in, and a battle for the top position ensued.
Despite several attempts, Norris failed to overtake Verstappen, and the collision occurred when Verstappen pushed Norris towards the outside of Turn 3.
Both drivers suffered tire punctures, which ruined their chances of winning the race. Norris’ McLaren sustained significant damage, preventing him from finishing the event.
Horner agrees with Verstappen’s opinion that the subsequent 10-second penalty was too severe and believes that the incident should have been considered a normal part of racing.
“I think it was inevitable given how closely they have been racing in recent weeks,” commented Horner. “It’s a shame.
“Lando had already received four warnings for exceeding track limits. He probably would have received a five-second penalty anyway. I consider it a racing incident.
“I found the 10-second penalty for Max a bit harsh. Fortunately, it didn’t affect his race too much as he had already been hampered by the tire puncture.
“So it’s very frustrating.
“On a day when none of our main rivals scored, we still managed to earn 10 points in the Drivers’ Championship and 16 points in the Constructors’ Championship. McLaren only gained two points compared to us.”
Horner believes that Norris’ more assertive approach in the main race stemmed from the frustration of the British driver having lost a potential victory in the Sprint race the previous weekend.
During the early laps of the shortened race, Norris was on the same level as Verstappen and managed to overtake him at Turn 3. However, he allowed his rival to take the inside line at Turn 4.
Horner explained: “It’s probably a consequence of what happened yesterday. Max overtook him without the help of DRS at Turn 4. And then his teammate overtook him as well, so there may have been some lingering disappointment with that.”
“It’s a shame because we had everything under control today. I think Lando’s final pit stop put him back in contention and, with the advantage of better tires, he managed to get within the DRS zone.”
Norris criticized Verstappen’s alleged aggressive maneuvers during their battle, calling them “reckless” and “desperate”. However, Horner refuted his driver’s claims, stating: “Max is a tough driver, and they both know that. I think Lando was trying to make up for what happened yesterday. It was inevitable that tensions between them would escalate at some point.”
Horner is confident that the long-standing friendship between Verstappen and Norris will not be affected by the collision and believes that a conversation between them will help resolve any issues. He commented: “Maybe they won’t play padel tomorrow, but I’m sure they will have a conversation. Both are competitive drivers and are open to discussing things. I have no doubt about that.”
When asked about the possibility of pilots maintaining friendships while competing at the highest level, Horner added: “The dynamics between the pilots vary throughout the grid. Ultimately, there needs to be respect, and that is the most important aspect. Friendships are inevitably tested when you are fiercely competing against each other.”
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Shocking events in the world of sports leave fans in shock. During a football match, a player suffers a serious injury that will keep him off the field for months. The news spread quickly, and fans are concerned about the athlete’s future.
The player in question is one of the main highlights of the team, responsible for many goals and incredible plays. His absence will certainly be felt by the team, who will have to adapt without him.
The injury occurred during a ball dispute, when the player was violently hit by an opponent. The impact was so strong that he had to be immediately taken to the hospital.
Doctors say the injury is serious and the player will need to undergo surgery. The recovery will be long and will require a lot of effort from the athlete. Fans are rooting for his quick recovery and hope to see him back on the field soon.
In the meantime, the team will have to find a way to make up for the player’s absence on the field. It will require teamwork and the search for new strategies to maintain the team’s performance.
The news of the player’s injury has not only shaken the fans, but also his teammates and the coach. Everyone is united in support of the athlete and hopes that he will recover as quickly as possible.
This incident serves as a reminder of how unpredictable and dangerous sports can be. Players are exposed to risks in every game, and injuries like this can happen at any moment.
Fans eagerly await updates on the player’s recovery and hope to see him back on the field soon. In the meantime, they send messages of support and wish him strength to overcome this difficult time.
We hope the player fully recovers and can return to doing what he loves most: playing soccer. And may this injury serve as a lesson to everyone about the importance of taking care of athletes’ health and safety.
