Norris issues Verstappen defence in ‘fair battles’ plea

Lando Norris has defended Max Verstappen and believes the reigning world champion does want to race fairly, but is prepared should a repeat of Mexico City take place. 

Verstappen received two 10-second time penalties in Mexico City following two separate incidents with Norris, just a week on from the pair’s controversial battle in Austin. 

On lap 10 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Verstappen first forced Norris off the circuit at Turn 4, before exceeding track limits and gaining an advantage on the Briton seconds later at Turn 7. 

At the time of the incidents, Norris described the Red Bull driver’s antics as “dangerous”. Norris went on to finish second whilst Verstappen settled for sixth, reducing the gap between the pair in the F1 drivers’ title to 47 points. 

Norris is insistent that he has always fought any driver fairly and does believe Verstappen wants the same going forwards; however, the Briton is prepared should things go sour again.

“I’ve always fought fairly,” said Norris. “That’s who I am. That’s who I am as a racer. That’s my way of driving every day. Maybe sometimes I’ve lost out because I’ve been too fair and not aggressive enough, and that’s where I have to find a better balance. 

“And those are the things, the changes I’ve said I’ve had to change since Austin and the course of this year, that when you’re racing these top guys, you learn things and you have to understand better these balances of attacking, defending, risk management, aggression, all of those types of things. 

“For me, I don’t need to worry about them. It’s got nothing to do with me, in a way. I’ll do what I can, I’ll race fairly. 

“If he doesn’t, then things will go like they did. But I think he wants to race fairly. I hope he does. I think he enjoys those moments, too, when it’s a fair battle. 

“All I can do is keep doing what I’m doing. I feel like I’m doing a good job and we’ll see what happens.”