Lando Norris on Race-Craft: "Not Quite at Verstappen's Level"

Lando Norris admitted he is "not quite at the level" of Max Verstappen regarding race-craft following the United States Grand Prix. The Briton received a controversial penalty during the race, which relegated him from third to fourth place after overtaking off track.

Norris acknowledged Verstappen's skills, stating, "Max is the best in the world in this style of defence and attacking. So I have to be at his level and at the moment I am not quite at the level I need to be at. It's a shame to say, but it's probably the truth. At the same time, it's a chance for me to learn and progress."

Despite his admission, Norris disagreed with the penalty, asserting that Verstappen's actions were "not how racing should be." He, along with several drivers, questioned Verstappen's approach to the corner, suggesting that while it may have adhered to the rules, it did not represent fair racing.

Verstappen responded, stating, "It's how the rules are written. I don't make the rules. I just follow the rules as much as I can. I just implement the rules and play with them."

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton supported Norris's view, arguing, "You shouldn't be able to come off the brakes and run more speed in and go off the track and still hold your place." Hamilton suggested that changes to the rules have been needed for some time, recalling that Verstappen had employed similar tactics during their 2021 title battle.

George Russell, Hamilton's teammate, expressed his intent to ask the FIA about Verstappen's maneuver, indicating, "In my view, he should have been penalised, therefore there isn't really a loophole. If they say he shouldn't have been, then he is exploiting a loophole." Russell noted that Verstappen's aggressive defense may have been more pronounced due to the title battle context.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who won the race, remarked that Verstappen's defense was "a bit too extreme," acknowledging that while Verstappen often operates on the edge of regulations, such tactics contribute to exciting racing.

Following the race, many drivers expressed a desire to discuss F1's racing regulations with the FIA at the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix. Verstappen's defensive tactics, particularly at Turn 12 against Norris, raised concerns among competitors about the interpretation of the rules. The regulations state that if a driver on the inside has their front axle ahead of an outside rival at the corner apex, they are not required to leave room on exit.

Norris, currently 57 points behind Verstappen in the championship standings with five races remaining, commented on the implications of late braking, stating, "The fact of getting off the brakes just to be ahead at apex, no matter how wide you run on the exit, is incorrect and I don't believe that's how racing should be."

He emphasized the need for rule adjustments while maintaining that both he and Verstappen were not necessarily at fault in the incident, saying, "It's not that I believe he should have got a penalty and I shouldn't. I don't believe either of us should have got a penalty."

Leclerc acknowledged the complexity of the issue, suggesting that "common sense has to be applied in certain situations," while Albon called for a clarification of rules addressing instances where both drivers leave the track, stating, "There probably needs to be some kind of sentence around, 'if you then end up going off the track yourself, there should be some kind of fall back or give back position.'"