A livid Lando Norris blamed world champion Max Verstappen for the collision which ended each their hopes of successful an exciting Formulation One Austrian Grand Prix.
Triple world champion Verstappen coasting to a 3rd win in three races however an unusually gradual pit-stop from Pink Bull on their house monitor opened the door for McLaren’s Norris.
The Briton tried to get previous the Dutchman thrice and on the final bid on lap 64 of 71, their wheels clashed and tyres blew.
Norris needed to retire whereas Verstappen, blamed by the stewards for the shunt and handed a 10-second penalty, got here house fifth. Mercedes’ George Russell sheepishly took the chequered flag.
Norris is buddies with Verstappen however there’ll now be stress heading to subsequent weekend’s British Grand Prix the place the Silverstone crowd will likely be very a lot behind the McLaren man, in distinction to the throngs of Pink Bull followers in Austria.
“I am simply disenchanted. I anticipated a bit extra from Max,” Norris informed reporters. “Careless.”
When requested if he anticipated an apology, the 24-year-old added: “It’s for him to say one thing.”
It was much more bitter for Norris given Verstappen’s fifth place meant he prolonged his lead over his good friend on the high of the standings to 81 factors.
Verstappen denied that he had been “shifting below braking” however added: “It was a disgrace what occurred. He dived bombed from behind and it’s onerous to defend. Our race was very unhealthy, from technique to pit-stops. Too gradual actually. There was no steadiness within the automobile.”
“That was clearly intense. We’ll discuss it, however perhaps not at this time,” Verstappen stated.
