Lando Norris: ‘I Think He Got What He Had Coming To Him’

The fireworks from Austin continued in Mexico, as Lando Norris was once again forced off the track by title rival Max Verstappen.

However, unlike one week ago in Texas, on this occasion Verstappen was handed two 10-second penalties, effectively ending his chance at a podium finish.

As he moved 10 points closer in the championship standings, Norris felt the decision to penalise Verstappen was correct, and something that was well deserved…

‘I don’t think I need to say much. I think it’s pretty self-explanatory on what happened. You know, I did everything I’ve been told in terms of what the rules are and the guidelines and all of this stuff, yet it just wasn’t to be. And, of course, he got some penalties for that. But, you know, like I said before in some of the interviews, I go into every race expecting a tough battle with Max. It’s clear that it doesn’t matter if he wins or second, his only job is to beat me in the race. And he’ll sacrifice himself to do that, like he did today. But I want to have good battles with him. I want to have those tough battles, like I’ve seen him have plenty of times. But fair ones. It’s always going to be on the line. It’s always going to be tough with Max. He’s never going to make anyone’s life easy, especially mine at this point of the year. But I think today was just… It was not fair, clean racing. And therefore, I think he got what he had coming to him.’

The pair have come together several times in 2024, with Norris often on the receiving end, and he admitted it is something he is now coming to expect from his friend and rival.

‘I knew what to expect. I didn’t want to expect such a thing, because I respect Max a lot as a driver, but I was ready to expect something like this, and this is, yeah, not very clean driving, in my opinion, but I avoided it, and it was a good race.’

‘I think the stewards said themselves that he deserved black and whites for driving standards today which he definitely did. So I think the 10-second penalty for the first one is standard. It’s what he got also in Silverstone which took away a win from him there. Five seconds maybe a bit light. But I’m not going to sit here and say he should have got more or less. That’s not up to me. It’s not my thing to decide. But he got the black and whites. Maybe a warning for the future. But no, I’m happy. I mean, the first offense was very clear. The second one as well. It’s not like it was a small clip of a wheel or something like that. It was quite a big difference. Maybe there’s a bit of inconsistency going on between stewards and penalties and decisions and so on but it’s not up to me. I don’t want to start stating my opinion and then start a controversy between us as drivers, the stewards. I’m sure they gave it their best view and their best judgment so I’ll leave it to that.’

While their friendship may have become strained as they fight for the championship, the pair do still talk, though Norris confirmed they have not spoken about their on track incidents.

‘I mean, we talk about different things. It’s not my job. it’s got nothing to do with me in a way. Today I felt like I just had to avoid collisions and that’s not what you feel like you want to do in a race. He’s in a very powerful position in the championship. He’s a long way ahead. He has nothing to lose. People can say it’s the other way around, like he’s got everything to lose and it’s all for me. But it’s not the case, you know. So it’s not for me. I’m focused on myself. I’m doing my own job, which was a good job today. And I’m happy with all of this and I’m happy with my whole weekend. But it’s not my job to control him. He knows how to drive. And I’m sure he knows that today was probably a bit over the limit.’

With just four race weekends left in 2024, Norris is happy to find himself in these battles and in the championship discussion, something that was unthinkable in pre-season testing.

‘I think there’s probably not one person in the world, back in Bahrain testing, who would have said McLaren and Lando are going to be fighting for a championship. Maybe not fighting it yet. But there’s a chance. There’s an opportunity there. And no one would have said that. No chance. So, the fact that we have been improving the car but then that we’re still in that position to just keep fighting and pick up on every opportunity we have. It’s very impressive from everyone in the factory and everyone in the team. We’re up against the best in Red Bull and everyone knows that. So, it’s always going to be tough. But we’re doing a very good job. We’re doing everything we can. I don’t think we can do a lot else, a lot more than what we’re doing already. It’s been very impressive and we’ll keep on pushing. There’s a lot of people supporting us as well. So, it’s a cool feeling.’

As the paddock heads to Brazil, Norris is looking for every opportunity to narrow the points gap and capitalise on every moment…

‘[We need to] make some updates, bring some good things to the car, which is not easy to do with the cost cap and so on. But that’s probably one of the best things we can do. And then for my side, just make sure I’m doing a good job every time I’m in the car. And then if Max makes mistakes or has issues and so on, then being there to capitalize on them and take the points away from him. Like today, maybe. But just keep doing what I’m doing. I’m doing a good job. The team are doing a good job and we’re doing everything we can. That’s all we can ask for.’