Lando Norris and Max Verstappen were involved in a heated battle that led to chaos at the Austrian Grand Prix. Red Bull superstar Verstappen, who had qualified first, maintained a comfortable lead until a slow pit stop on lap 52 allowed Norris to close the gap and get within DRS range of the Dutchman.
After several laps of intense wheel-to-wheel action, the race took a dramatic turn on lap 64. Going into Turn Three, Norris and Verstappen made contact, resulting in punctures for both drivers. Norris was forced to retire his McLaren due to severe damage, while Verstappen rejoined the race in fifth place but was subsequently handed a five-second penalty for causing the collision.
Former Williams reserve driver Jack Aitken commented on the incident on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I have to say it looked like it was Verstappen who was really pushing the limits there and closing Norris up to the edge of the track, but we will see what the stewards say.”
“THIS RACE HAS BEEN TURNED ON IT’S HEAD!!!”
VERSTAPPEN AND NORRIS COLLIDE 😲 pic.twitter.com/eZ7R4dZyUa
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 30, 2024
As a result of the collision, Mercedes star George Russell seized the opportunity to move from third to first, ultimately winning the race. “Incredible. It was a tough fight out there at the beginning of the race just to hold onto P3,” Russell said. “I saw Max and Lando were going pretty hard and I knew Lando would want that win. The team have done an amazing job to put us in this fight. You’ve got to be there to pick up the pieces and that’s where we were.”
After the race, Max Verstappen finally broke his silence regarding the incident. “It’s disappointing to end the race like that,” Verstappen stated. “Lando and I were both pushing hard, and unfortunately, we made contact. It wasn’t intentional, and it’s a shame for both of us. These things happen in racing, but we have to move on and focus on the next race. I respect Lando as a driver and I’m sure we’ll continue to have many more battles in the future.”
Verstappen’s comments reflect the intense competitive spirit in Formula 1 and highlight the fine margins that can determine the outcome of a race. As the championship battle continues, both drivers will be looking to bounce back and make their mark in the upcoming races.
