S Poddar
Max Verstappen has come under scrutiny for his actions during the Austrian Grand Prix, particularly after a collision with Lando Norris that led to both drivers suffering rear wheel punctures. The incident occurred on lap 64 as Verstappen defended against Norris, who was challenging for the lead. Despite holding a significant lead, Verstappen’s slow pit stop and subsequent lock-up allowed Norris to close the gap and attempt several overtaking maneuvers.
During one such attempt into Turn 3, Norris positioned himself around the outside of Verstappen. In response, Verstappen moved to the left, resulting in wheel-to-wheel contact that ended in punctures for both cars. Norris retired from the race after limping back to the pits, while Verstappen received fresh tires and finished fifth, earning points that extended his lead in the Drivers’ standings.
Former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley criticized Verstappen not only for the collision but also for what he described as “petulant” and “dangerous” behavior post-contact. Priestley suggested that Verstappen’s actions, including moving under braking, were reminiscent of earlier criticisms against him for aggressive driving tactics. Despite a subsequent penalty from the stewards, Priestley expressed surprise that Verstappen wasn’t penalized earlier for similar infractions during the race.
The incident has sparked debate about racing ethics and the application of rules in Formula 1, highlighting tensions between Verstappen and Norris, who were previously viewed as friendly rivals.
