Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Barcelona

Norris responds as Verstappen's driving style comes under question

08:10, 13 Jun

byOlly Darcy

Lando Norris believes there is "no reason" for Max Verstappen to change his driving style amid the threat of a race ban, thinking instead that he will "fight more".

The Dutchman sits on 11 penalty points after collecting three points due to his collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, leaving him one point away from a race ban at the Austrian Grand Prix.

At the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked about the potential of changing his driving style due to the looming danger of the race ban, but that was something that was quickly dismissed by the four-time world champion.

Max Verstappen currently sits P3 in the drivers' championship with 137 points, 39 points off championship leader Oscar Piastri, who is ten points clear of Lando Norris in P2.

Norris sess no need for change from Verstappen

Norris has had first-hand experience surrounding incidents with Verstappen, with the 2024 Austrian and Mexican Grands Prix races where the Dutchman was handed penalty points.

However, a change in the driving style from the Red Bull Racing driver is the last thing that the Brit expects to occur.

"Max is one of the best in the world because of how he drives. I don't think anyone can argue against that. I think it's quite a simple statement," Norris explained.

“Of course, he said he shouldn't have done what he did. You can speak to him; you don't need to speak to me about it, but I'm sure he regrets doing what he did.

“What he did last weekend was obviously a little different to probably what he normally does. It was not just a simple aggression, and good, strong, on-the-edge defensive moves. It was something, obviously, a little bit separate from that.

“No, I think Max is who he is, and he's achieved what he has because of how he drives. There is no reason for him to change that side,” continued the McLaren driver.

Norris only expects a more agressive Verstappen in Montreal

In fact, there is only one change that may occur from Verstappen during this weekend's racing around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, accoridng to Norris.

“I don't think anything really changes," the 25-year-old continued.

"You don't know what he's going to do. So at this point, I'm trying to think of what to do differently. It's the same as normal. I think he's still going to fight. He's further behind in the points.

“If anything, he's still going to fight more. So no, there's no point in trying to assume things or just guess because when you're in the position of fighting on the track, you can't just try and think: ‘Oh, he's going to give me more space and then he doesn't and then something happens’.

“There's no point assuming things or trying to think what other people are going to do. He's still fighting for the championship. He still wants to try and win every race he can,” concluded Norris.