Daniel Ricciardo claims Max Verstappen getting ‘unwarranted’ heat over clash with Lando Norris

Daniel Ricciardo highlighted that Max Verstappen hasn't been as aggressive as he used to be few years ago.

Daniel Ricciardo claims Max Verstappen getting ‘unwarranted’ heat over clash with Lando Norris

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris with Daniel Ricciardo (Via: IMAGO)

The recent crash between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen at the Austrian GP has turned into a controversial drama. Several F1 pundits and drivers had different opinions on the situation. The incident was also highlighted by Verstappen’s former teammate Daniel Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo on the Austrian GP crash said that when Max Verstappen first started racing in Formula 1. The Dutchman was often talked about because of his driving style. Especially how he would move his car while braking. This made him a common topic of discussion among the people in the sport. However, Ricciardo pointed out that recently, Verstappen hadn’t been discussed as much for these reasons.

Max, sure when he started and came into the sport, whether it was a bit of this, moving under braking, he was more of a common topic around the paddock. But he hasn't been a topic much recently.
Daniel Ricciardo said
YouTube video

Daniel Ricciardo addressed the questions about Verstappen’s aggressive driving. He acknowledged when you were competing for a win, you had to push hard. He admitted that some of his moves on the track might have been a bit too aggressive at times. However, the Australian thought that Verstappen had been driving more responsibly recently. The 34-year-old believed it wasn’t fair, that people were criticizing the Red Bull driver a lot now. Ricciardo reckoned Verstappen’s recent behavior on the track didn’t deserve the negative attention which is unwarranted.

FS Video
You're fighting for the win aswell, are you going to push for the envelope, were some of the moves a little bit too much? Maybe… But I think he's been pretty well behaved as of late, if he's getting a lot of heat, I would say that's unwarranted.
Daniel Ricciardo added

Daniel Ricciardo feels people are trying to make ‘enemies out of friends’over Lando Norris and Max Verstappen’s clash

Daniel Ricciardo thought that part of the reason people were trying to create conflict was because they knew Lando Norris and Max Verstappen were friends. He acknowledged, Verstappen had been winning a lot in the past few years, and people wanted to see someone challenge him. This might have been trying to stir things up to create some rivalry and make the races more exciting.

Part of it is, if i'm interpreting some of it, they know Lando and Max get along, Max has been winning quite a lot the last few years, they wanna see him get challenged
Daniel Ricciardo stated
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Daniel Ricciardo reckoned people are intentionally stirring things up to create tension in their rivalry. This might be the way to generate more excitement and interest among viewers by adding a conflict between drivers who are friends.

They’re trying to create a rivalry and some tension to build up this fight. They’re maybe trying to make enemies out of friends.

Daniel Ricciardo added

Certainly, Daniel Ricciardo felt people are hyping the tension between both drivers a lot. This might be because everyone wants some added spice to the sport and this way it is possible. However, it is assumed Verstappen and Norris would’ve got along after the crash and have solved their conflict.

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