F1
Why does Max Verstappen drive so aggressively against Lando Norris?
Verstappen and Norris in Austin. © DPPI
Max Verstappen has he lost his bearings and given in to a certain despair? This is probably what many spectators have been wondering in recent weeks as they watched the Dutchman go body to body against his British buddy. His dive from afar and into a mouse hole at the first corner in Austin to get the better of Lando Norris was achieved on a knife edge. Just like his defense outside the limits of the track against the same Englishman later in the race, who was also penalized for overtaking from outside the track. The aggressiveness of the triple world champion had then been questioned by the actors as well as the followers, despite the absence of a penalty received.
In Mexico, a week later, the pilot Red Bull probably paid a little for Austin since he was given two ten-second penalties for two
Jeremy Satis
Deputy Digital Editor & F1 Reporter
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DANIEL MEYERS
02/11/2024 at 11:34 a.m.
As Herbert implies, maybe we haven't seen everything yet, Verstappen won't stop himself from deliberately taking out Norris to keep his title, sometimes it works, see Schumacher on Hill or Senna on Prost, but there is also the risk of exclusion, (Schumacher on Villeneuve)!
Yves-Henri RANDIER
02/11/2024 at 11:28 a.m.
No wonder: a less dominant single-seater than the other title contender, therefore even greater and more calculating aggression... it's reminiscent in every way of the end of the 2021 season against Sir Gold Lives Matter! Verstappen will win his 4th consecutive title thanks to his cunning beyond his talent behind the wheel
vincent moyet
02/11/2024 at 02:26 a.m.
I would like to point out that in my opinion, the aim is not to prevent Verstappen from being World Champion, he is still the driver who has won the most victories this year, but that he does so in a respectable way for the credibility of F1.
vincent moyet
02/11/2024 at 02:06 a.m.
Yes, what Verstappen is doing is very calculated and thoughtful, he is preventing Norris from scoring too many points by blocking his path, while opening the door for Ferrari to take as many as possible from him. But as Johnny Herbert says, I understand it but do not accept it. It is a form of cheating, of manipulating the championship (which even harms his own employer in the constructors' standings). And that is not what spectators and sponsors of F1 want to see. We want racing, for the fastest to be in front and for no one to manipulate the result. It is (literally) anti-gambling and we must avoid that. It is quite possible that Verstappen will save his 4th title in this way but he will have ruined this whole great season with a whiff of scandal and disrespect for his opponents and his own team. We must at best prevent him from doing it and at the very least prevent it from happening again.