Max Verstappen and Lando Norris may be friends away from the track, but that relationship is set to be tested given how the Austrian Grand Prix ended.
Both drivers were guaranteed a spot on the podium but Lando Norris sensed he was faster than the triple world champion after the final round of pit stops and lap after lap was trying to find a way past Max Verstappen.
It all ended in tragedy when they made contact on the outside of turn three, with both drivers picking up punctures.
They were able to return to the pit lane and while Red Bull were able to salvage Verstappen’s car and help him secure a 5-place finish, McLaren were forced to retire Norris’s car.
Journalist Lawrence Barretto was in the driver’s pen after the race and shared on the F1 Post-Race Show how the two drivers reacted when facing the media for questioning after the Grand Prix.
They were both in a defensive mood – both on and off the track – suggesting that the other driver was more to blame for the collision than they were.
Verstappen hasn’t been challenged at the front of the grid since the end of the 2021 season when Lewis Hamilton was the driver going toe-to-toe with the 26-year-old as they battled for the championship.
All eyes are on the British Grand Prix now to see how Norris deals with his next battle with Verstappen and whether they can keep the action cleaner than it was at the Red Bull Ring.
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
How Max Verstappen and Lando Norris reacted in the driver’s pen after the Austrian Grand Prix
Returning from interviewing the drivers after the race, Barretto said: “What a pen, that was great! It’s days like this when I get in there and I get to talk to drivers about something pretty spicy, it was great.
“Lando [Norris] and Max [Verstappen] didn’t look at each other the whole time they were in the pen.”
After the race, Barretto was asked about their demeanour and added: “Yeah, they were very different.
“I think Lando could barely look Max in the eye. I asked him outright whether or not he wanted to talk to Max and he felt it was Max’s duty to talk to him and I think that shows on the balance that Norris just firmly blames Max.
“Not just for that move but I think the way that he was defending throughout that exchange.
“I think Max talked very eloquently about how the team didn’t do a very good job, he was quite tough on them today.
“He pointed out how many issues there were with them. I think his car didn’t feel very good.
“And that shows how much pressure he was under and maybe he just wasn’t making the smartest decisions.”
READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from height and parents to celebration
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris battle set to hot up for the rest of the season
The British Grand Prix will be the halfway point in the 2024 Formula 1 season and at this stage, it looks like a battle between Red Bull and McLaren to be the quickest car on the grid.
Oscar Piastri has shown glimpses of brilliance but given it’s only his second season in the sport, he still needs time to become as consistent as his teammate.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez continues to be well off the pace and while he suffered significant damage on the opening lap in Austria, he was always at risk of being caught up in some drama due to where he qualified.
It leaves Verstappen and Norris out in front of their own and for the first time, their relationship may now be impacted by what’s happened on the track.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was insistent that both drivers were at fault, however, this wasn’t in line with the thinking of Martin Brundle or the race stewards.
While Verstappen had the support of the orange wall in Austria, Norris will have the backing of the home fans at Silverstone on Sunday and it’ll be interesting to see what sort of reception the Dutchman gets.
The post ‘Pretty spicy’: What Max Verstappen and Lando Norris did in the driver’s pen after Austria crash – journalist appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
