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Verstappen and Norris react to 'nerve-rackingly' early battle in Italian GP

09:03, 09 Sep

byTobia Elia

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris shared their thoughts on their battle at the start and during the opening laps of the Italian Grand Prix.

Although the Italian Grand Prix turned into a one-sided race with Verstappen taking the win, the opening laps provided plenty of excitement in terms of overtakes and on-track maneuvers.

At the start, the four-time world champion cut the first chicane at Turn 1, forcing Lando Norris onto the grass for a brief moment, prompting the Brit to call him an 'idiot'.

On lap four, after giving the position back, Verstappen made his move, overtaking the Brit again at Turn 1—this time leaving no chance for a response—and gradually pulled away to secure victory with nearly a 20-second lead.

Verstappen, Norris and Piastri atop Monza podium

A hard-fought battle between Verstappen and Norris

Speaking with GPblog at the end of the race, both drivers shared their perspective on the opening-lap duel, starting with Verstappen: ''There was a lot going on after the first lap, even into Turn 1.''

''I think Oscar and Charles were fighting as well. I could see in my mirror. So it took two, three laps to settle in a bit, and then from there onwards it was fine.''

Norris went more in depth into the fight: ''It was a little bumpy at one point, but it was what I expected. It was close and it was fun racing. Tough, again, as expected. Enjoyable – it's what I probably enjoy more than anything, these kinds of battles.''

''It was nice to go out on top for a couple of laps, but it didn't last very long. Max's pace was just far too good for us today, especially in that first stint, especially in the first three quarters of the first stint.''

He finally added: ''Close, even when he got me into Turn 1, I think we were both pretty late on the brakes and we just about made the corner. It was close. I felt like there was probably a little bit of rubbing at some point. So, nerve-rackingly close and exciting for that reason. But I wish it could last a bit longer than it did.''

At the end of the race, Verstappen also revealed what he would have done if he had been in Oscar Piastri’s shoes and had been asked to give up his position to a championship rival.