Miami GP: Norris criticizes Verstappen after wheel-to-wheel duel
Miami Grand Prix: Lando Norris Criticizes Max Verstappen’s Aggressive Racing Style
The Miami Grand Prix on Sunday showcased intense battles on the track, but Lando Norris left the event dissatisfied with Max Verstappen’s wheel-to-wheel tactics. The McLaren driver suggested that overtaking the reigning Formula 1 world champion is an all-or-nothing endeavor, describing it as "crash or don’t pass."
First-Lap Incident Alters Norris’ Race
Norris, who finished second, was in contention for victory before a first-lap incident with Verstappen derailed his chances. Heading into Turn 2, Norris found himself alongside the Red Bull driver, but Verstappen’s aggressive defense forced Norris wide and off the track, dropping him to sixth place. Race stewards reviewed the move but determined no penalty was warranted, as Norris was not ahead of Verstappen prior to the corner.
Despite the setback, Norris rebounded and overtook Verstappen later in the race, but he couldn’t close the gap to his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, who took his fourth win of the season and extended his championship lead.
Norris Reflects on the Rivalry
Reflecting on the race, Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of Verstappen’s approach. "Max put up a good fight as always, and I paid the price, but it's the way it is," Norris said. "What can I say? If I don't go for it, people complain. If I go for it, people complain, so you can't win. But it is the way it is with Max – it’s crash or don’t pass. Unless you get it really right and put him in the perfect position, then you can just about get there."
Verstappen, meanwhile, brushed off the scrutiny. "There’s not much more to add," he told reporters. "I mean, I had nothing to lose, so I also just wanted to have a bit of fun out there. Today, I think it’s quite clear what is allowed and what isn’t allowed, so I think everyone is adjusting to that."
A Rivalry Rekindled
The duels between Norris and Verstappen are hardly new. Their rivalry heated up last season, with one of the most controversial incidents occurring at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Verstappen received two separate 10-second penalties during that race for over-aggressive driving against Norris.
Expanding on the Miami clash, Norris explained to Sky Sports that avoiding Verstappen wasn’t just a strategic decision—it was necessary to avoid catastrophe. “Without my avoiding action, I would have been in the wall, hard,” the Brit revealed. When pressed on whether the move was unfair, Norris responded diplomatically: "It's not for me to decide."
Targeting Stronger Qualifying
While Norris conceded there was room for improvement on his part, he emphasized the need for higher qualifying positions to avoid such situations entirely. "We both got past him … you've just got to be in the perfect place. In the end, he just let me go. He didn’t even put up a fight. It just depends how much he wants to fight you. It’s Max—he’s doing a good job. He can do whatever he wants."
Norris Remains Optimistic
Reflecting on his overall weekend, Norris maintained a positive outlook despite narrowly missing victory. "There’s a gap, I’ve got to go for it. I’m not going to back out, I’m here to race. It’s still going to be a very good weekend. I’m still not in the happiest place and I’ve got to be there against the best. I’ll keep chipping away, but it’s been a positive weekend. I’m still happy. There’s always next time."
Looking Ahead: The Rivalry Continues
As Formula 1 heads into the next round of the championship, the Norris-Verstappen rivalry remains one to watch. With Piastri widening his lead atop the standings, however, both drivers will need big performances to stay in the title hunt.
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