“It was Max’s fault,” Austrian GP steward claims Max Verstappen’s clash with Lando Norris sign of ‘intimidation’

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have emerged as title contenders.

“It was Max’s fault,” Austrian GP steward claims Max Verstappen’s clash with Lando Norris sign of ‘intimidation’

Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Jonny Herbert (Via: Imago)

The Austrian GP was a race full of rollercoasters. Max Verstappen seemed to be in control of the race from the start. He had a botched pitstop during the closing stages and fell into the clutches of Lando Norris. Both the drivers collided after battling for a few laps as they pushed each other to the limit. Subsequently, Austrian GP steward, Johnny Herbert has explained how the Dutchman was at fault for the clash.

Lando Norris emerged as the closest driver to Max Verstappen in the past few weekends. Moreover, the former was claimed as the only hope for a title fight in 2024 as he started to make strides on the Red Bull of Verstappen. They were anticipated to fight for wins on the track, and this is indeed what happened in Austria.

YouTube video

However, this fight ended with both drivers colliding, and the FIA penalized Verstappen for the incident.

It was Max’s fault. He is a hard racer. He is very, very hard to beat. He intimidates everybody. That intimidation is something that Lewis. Michael Schumacher, and Ayrton Senna, have always done. It is about placing the car. He does place the car very well, but he just has that tendency to put everyone else in a position which goes beyond the drivers’ unwritten code. That is what we saw in Austria.
Johnny Herbert said in an interview with Coinpoker

Johnny Herbert then explained that the Dutchman had been intimidating his competitor. He was moving under the breaking zone and compromising Norris constantly, which ended up in their clash. The former driver then explained that Verstappen’s driving was unsportsmanlike as he went beyond the driver’s unwritten code, which everyone witnessed in Spielberg.

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen to continue their tussle going ahead?

With the paddock having a glimpse of how badly things could turn, experts also fear that both drivers would now be on their best behavior and avoid racing wheel-to-wheel. However, Herbert reckons otherwise.

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (via IMAGO)

The 60-year-old explained the mind games that might commence after their collision.

Max[Verstappen] is now aware that he can’t put that pressure on Lando and expect him just to move out of the way, that Lando[Norris] will fight back. Up until Austria Max had always won. Now he is not winning. It will be interesting to see how Lando responds. He will now be in a better place after what has happened. He has realised he knows he has a chance of beating Max at his own game. That will be fascinating to watch.
Johnyy Herbert said in an interview with Coinpoker

Herbert elaborated Verstappen is now aware that his tactics won’t work on the McLaren driver anymore. Moreover, the 24-year-old would now not back down from a fight as he aims to get the better of his championship rival.

Despite the mind games in the paddock, both drivers are set to have a chat to resolve the disputes. Thus, things would achieve more clarity by the British GP weekend as fans await another fight for the race win around Silverstone.

In case you missed it: