Lando Norris comments on Verstappen and Russell’s escalating tension, offering insight into the balance between respect and competitive ambition.
Lando Norris shared his thoughts on the clash between Max Verstappen and George Russell, which erupted after the Qatar Grand Prix and escalated, quite literally, today in the Abu Dhabi paddock.
The four-time world champion didn’t hold back when addressing the media during Thursday’s FIA press conference, stating: “I meant everything I said.”
Shortly after, Russell fired back at Verstappen with a series of digs and remarks about how the Dutchman handles adversity.
Norris, a friend of both drivers, weighed in on the situation.
“So, you’ve got both sides (laughs). We’re paid to come here, to race, and to perform well for our team.”
“In a way, no matter what happens, at any cost, you want to win, and you want to give yourself the best chance. For George, that was probably saying what he said and doing what he did.”
“Sometimes, I think among drivers, there’s that level of respect where, when something happens, you just go, ‘It’s racing, well, it’s just what happens sometimes,’ and you don’t want either of them to be penalized, because it’s racing, and ‘oh, it’s just a situation where no one should really be penalized.'”
“Mercedes isn’t fighting for a championship or anything like that, so they’re hanging on a bit more to what Max does. So, they’ll do whatever it takes to try and get pole or go for a win. Maybe he paid a bit of the price for that respect, that respect from Max.”
“But… everyone does things their own way. Some fight harder to get things; others don’t. But I enjoy watching them argue the way they do.”
Another controversial moment in Qatar was Norris’s 10-second stop-and-go penalty for speeding under double yellow flags. Norris received the penalty after Verstappen noticed his lead had significantly decreased.
After complaining about the incident over team radio, it was swiftly investigated, and Norris was handed a severe penalty.
Norris has no issue with Verstappen’s involvement, admitting that “every driver on the grid would do the same.”
“It’s racing, you know, there are rules. Max saw that I wasn’t following them.”
“I could have done it, but he noticed something, said it, and rightly so. That’s fine with me. I’ll do the same when the opportunity arises, and he won’t mind either.”
- Discover More>Verstappen: Russell is a ‘traitor,’ a ‘loser,’ who ‘makes up all kinds of nonsense.’
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Respect or Risk? Norris Reflects on Verstappen-Russell Feud” Respect or Risk? Norris Reflects on Verstappen-Russell Feud” Respect or Risk? Norris Reflects on Verstappen-Russell Feud”
