Verstappen and Norris at odds over Austria clash
Just like 2016, a thrilling Austrian Grand Prix was decided by the leaders clashing at Turn 3, but this time neither went on to win and both Lando Norris and Max Verstappen see things differently.
In a nail-biting finale, Verstappen found himself on the defensive after a slow stop on Lap 52 suddenly brought Norris into play.
With superior pace on the Medium tyre, the McLaren quickly slashed the 1.8s deficit and launched a number of counterattacks at the tight and heavy braking Turn 3.
After surviving some close calls where both cars went off, the predictable clash arrived on Lap 64.
After moves on the inside failed, Norris went for it on the outside of Verstappen, who appeared to drift slightly left under braking in the hope of squeezing the McLaren wide.
With not a car’s-width of space left, contact was made not once, but twice.
The first clash was on corner entry where the pair made wheel to wheel contact, while the second and less severe arrived just before they took to the runoff where the flat left rear of Verstappen tripped over Norris’ front wing.
Both drivers were able to crawl their way back to the pits, but not before George Russell flew past to snatch the lead with Verstappen able to salvage fifth, while Norris suffered a shattering retirement.
Almost eight years to the day, it was a near replica of the infamous finale to the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix where Mercedes team-mates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg came together on the final lap.
Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton collide on the last lap at turn 3 fighting for victory in the 2016 Austrian GP. image: Motorsport Images
On that occasion Hamilton came charging around the outside of leader Rosberg, who also failed to leave enough space and they made side to side contact.
Hamilton survived to take victory, while Rosberg limped with a broken front wing to fourth.
The 2024 episode was erringly similar with Norris, like Hamilton, adamant it was not his fault.
“I’m disappointed, nothing more than that, honestly,” Norris told Sky Sports F1.
“It was a good race. I looked forward to probably I’d say just a fair battle, a strong fair battle, but I wouldn’t say that’s what it was in the end.
“This is a tough one to take.
“It was a mistake-free race from my side, and I feel like I did a good job but I got taken out of the race, so nothing more than that.”
Norris also believed Verstappen was moving under braking throughout their battle and believes the stewards should have penalised the #1 earlier.
“Yeah. I mean there’s a rule. You’re not allowed to react to the other driver and that’s what he did three times out of three,” the McLaren driver said.
Lando Norris locks up fighting wheel to wheel with Max Verstappen. Photo by Andy Hone / LAT Images
“Two times I managed to avoid it and not lock up and run into him, and the third time he just ran into me.
“I was just trying to drive my race. He was clearly a lot slower at the end. He ruined his own race just as much as he ruined mine.
“There’s nothing more I can do. I did my best and it was good enough. I got ruined through not my own fault.”
Despite many experts believing he was in the wrong, Verstappen, who has history in this scenario, insisted he was in the clear.
“Of course from the outside it’s hard to see when I brake. I know in the past it was a bit of a complaint,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1.
“Now I always move my wheel before I brake, then you brake in a straight line trajectory. It’s always easy to say on the outside that I’m moving under the braking, but I think the guy in the car knows best what he’s doing.
“Everyone can have their own opinion but I’m the one driving. I’m in control. Of course, from the outside it’s easy to judge and comment but whatever, it’s what happens.”
“I need to look back at how or why we touched. Of course, we (Lando and Max) will talk about it. It’s just unfortunate it happened.
“I felt like sometimes he dive-bombed so late on the brakes. One time he went straight. One time I had to go around the sausage otherwise we would have touched.
“I think it’s also the shape of the corner that provides these kinds of issues sometimes. I’ve had it also the other way around. It is what it is. It’s never nice to come together.”
Time will tell if the Verstappen v Norris rivalry will be as bitter as Hamilton v Rosberg, but much like 2016, the Austrian Grand Prix has provided an unforgettable finish that has provided Formula 1 with a much-needed talking point.
Photo by Andy Hone / LAT Images
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