Davidson Understands Why Norris Called Verstappen’s Move “Dirty”

Anthony Davidson defends Max Verstappen after Miami drama, saying cold tyres, not malice, caused the contact with Norris at Turn 2.

Did Max Verstappen force Lando Norris off the track at Turn 2 in Miami on purpose? Former F1 driver Anthony Davidson doesn’t think so. Speaking on Sky F1, he believes the Red Bull driver simply lost control briefly, but says he understands why Norris saw the move as unfair.

“It’s easy for us to sit here and say, ‘Lando should have given him more space, waited behind Max and made the move later,’” said Davidson. “But in the moment, you don’t see it that way. You’re trying to hold position, you didn’t get the best start, and Max gets a jump on you right off the line, just as you’d expect.”

Norris responded well, Davidson explained. “He braked perfectly, didn’t lock up, and read Max’s early braking. Lando used that to cut across cleanly and line up a strong exit. He did everything right.”

“From that position, Lando’s thinking, ‘Great, I’ve got the advantage, I’ve got my nose ahead.’ He’s fully committed to the line. But then you see Max’s car start drifting toward him.”

To many watching, it looked like Verstappen was trying to muscle Norris off track. “From the outside, it looks like a classic squeeze,” said Davidson. “But look closely, there’s a slight twitch. Max loses the rear a little and slides. It’s subtle, but enough to take him off line.”

Davidson pointed out that Verstappen was likely struggling with cold tires and fighting to hit the apex. “That snap of oversteer was enough to push both cars onto the same bit of tarmac. Yes, Lando was forced wide, but I don’t believe it was deliberate. Max simply lost control for a moment.”

“Norris Faced the Toughest Job”

Davidson didn’t blame Norris for struggling to get past Verstappen later in the race, especially after watching Oscar Piastri pull off a bold move in Turn 11 earlier.

“Max is very strong defensively,” he said. “Piastri tried something brave. Max covered it well, he placed his car smartly and made Oscar go the long way.”

But that pressure caused Verstappen to lock up. “You saw the smoke, it was clear he braked too late. That gave Oscar a chance. It was partly skill, partly timing. He caught Max off-guard.”

When it was Norris’s turn to attack in the same place, Verstappen was ready. “He’d learned from Piastri’s attempt. So Norris had a tougher time breaking through.”

Davidson admitted that while Piastri’s move might’ve looked cleaner, it was also a case of good timing. “Max knew exactly where to place the car by the time Lando came at him. That made all the difference.”

Eventually, Norris did pass Verstappen at Turn 11, cleanly and legally. “He ran wide the first time, then gave the position back to avoid a penalty. On the next attempt, he nailed it.”