Lando Norris admits he is still to find the right balance between being fair and being aggressive in on-track battles. Incidents between Norris and Max Verstappen at multiple races this season have come under scrutiny, with the Dutchman often getting the upper hand in close wheel-to-wheel combat. While Norris benefitted from Verstappen being penalized twice in Mexico City, he admits he already had to change his approach based on his own penalty a week earlier at Circuit of the Americas.
“I’ve always fought fairly,” Norris said. “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.
“Those are the things, the changes I’ve said I’ve had to change since last weekend and over 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.
“But for me, I don’t need to worry about them. It’s got nothing to do with me, in a way. I mean, I’ll do what I can. I’ll race fairly. If he doesn’t, then things will go like they did [in Mexico]. 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, but 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.”
Norris also says his opinion of what is fair and isn’t has evolved during this season, following a collision with Verstappen in Austria that resulted in the championship leader also being handed a 10-second time penalty.
“Austria, no one should have got a penalty, I don’t think. Maybe some of my views are a little bit different now than what they were back then. Austria, I don’t think anyone should have got a penalty. Austin, I don’t think anyone should have got a penalty. Let’s say we both kind of did things wrong.
“I feel like I was made to do something wrong, and … the majority of people, the majority of drivers feel like that was the same thing. That’s why you’ve heard of some of the rule changes that might be coming and those types of things. It’s because there’s a common consensus that it wasn’t correct what happened in the result that I had last weekend.
“(In Mexico), I think, was another level on both of those cases. I was ahead of Max in the braking zone, past the apex. I am avoiding crashing. This is the difference. I can’t speak for him, and maybe he’ll say something different.
“But I think it was a step too far from both of those, and it was clear that the stewards agreed with that. So I don’t see it as a win or anything like this, but it’s more that I hope Max acknowledges that he took it a step too far.”
The Impact on Norris's Championship Hopes
In many ways, the Mexico GP was a frustrating event for the Woking-based outfit. Ferrari took yet another victory, overtaking Red Bull in the standings and putting themselves within touching distance of McLaren.
Ferrari’s SF-24 has become the new benchmark since Austin, with the Scuderia’s Monza upgrades proving very effective at more traditional circuits. This is especially significant because, over the coming weeks, Ferrari will prepare another set of updates to end the season.
Andrea Stella recognised this, giving his analysis after the chequered flag in Mexico:
“You go racing fair and square. This is what we want from Lando,” he told the media, per The Times.
“This is what Lando wants from himself. When I look at the incidents in the early laps of the race, there is a bit of disappointment.
“Because without those couple of incidents, Lando could have fought for the victory.”
To some extent, McLaren can be pleased about Norris closing the gap to Verstappen in the drivers’ Championship. The British driver gained 10 points on the Dutchman, reducing the deficit to just 42 points. With four races and two sprints remaining, there is still time for Norris to bridge the gap.
However, in order to have a realistic chance heading into Abu Dhabi, the McLaren driver needs to start winning races. Achieving this will require improvements from all departments at Woking, who no longer have any margin for error.
What's Next for Norris and Verstappen?
The ongoing battle between Norris and Verstappen raises critical questions about the future of their rivalry and the direction of Formula 1. While Norris maintains his commitment to fair racing, the contentious incidents, and the subsequent penalties, have highlighted the need for clarity and consistency in the application of the rules.
The FIA’s acknowledgment of the need for revised racing guidelines could be a pivotal moment. It signifies a willingness to address the concerns raised by drivers and teams alike. The revisions, expected to be implemented in the coming weeks, could shape the way drivers approach wheel-to-wheel combat, potentially leading to a more balanced and fairer racing environment. The spotlight remains on Verstappen, who has repeatedly pushed the boundaries, and on Norris, who is seeking to find that balance between fair racing and the necessary aggression to succeed at the highest level of motorsport.
