“I am here to win,” Max Verstappen claims Lando Norris should be ready to ‘fight the hard way’ after Austrian GP incident

Max Verstappen had some words of wisdom for Lando Norris if the latter wanted to score race wins in F1.

“I am here to win,” Max Verstappen claims Lando Norris should be ready to ‘fight the hard way’ after Austrian GP incident

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (images via IMAGO) Austrian GP crash (via F1)

Max Verstappen had an extremely unfortunate collision with Lando Norris at the Austrian GP. This cost the Dutchman the race victory in front of Red Bull’s home crowd. Norris was extremely dissatisfied after the crash and had a few hard words. Upon this, the 26-year-old reckoned that the Briton should be ready to fight the hard way to amass race wins.

Max Verstappen is known for his fierce and cold personality while driving around a track. The Dutchman doesn’t let opponents pass him by with ease. Additionally, Lando Norris is also a great driver when it comes to making overtakes stick. Hence, this was the reason for the collision of the two drivers towards the end of the race. Norris was extremely upset about the incident and said that the friendship between the two could end.

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Verstappen was questioned regarding his move and not letting Norris through with ease. The 26-year-old had a witty response to this and noted he also could’ve stayed home and let the Briton win. Subsequently, the reigning world champion added that he was racing to score the race win and not finish second. Hence, the 24-year-old should’ve been ready to fight the hard way to clinch the Austrian GP victory.

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I could also stay home? I am here to win, not to finish second. When you're fighting for the win, why can't you fight in a hard way?
Max Verstappen said during a post-race interview.

Max Verstappen labeled the collision as ‘unfortunate’

The collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris was nothing short of a racing incident. The accident could’ve been avoided with Verstappen ceding position. On the contrary, Norris who was on the faster pace could’ve stayed back and overtook later. However, such accidents increase the competition and excitement during a season.

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (Via: Imago)

Max Verstappen noted that he would need to reflect upon the incident and find out how the crash happened. The Dutchman assured that there would be a conversation between the two drivers later. Regardless, the 26-year-old labeled the incident between the two as ‘unfortunate’ as it could’ve been avoided.

I need to look back at why, or how we touched. Of course we’ll talk about it. Unfortunate that it happened.
Max Verstappen said during the post-session interivew.

Red Bull had a great chance to impress the home crowd at the Red Bull Ring. However, the collision cost Verstappen the race win and also major points in the championship standings. The rivals have come close while Norris also comes extremely close to losing the runner-up spot in the standings.

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