Red Bull team boss, Christian Horner, believes it’s up to Lando Norris to adapt to Max Verstappen’s racing style. This statement came in response to the collision the two drivers had during the final stages of the Austrian Grand Prix last Sunday. “Max won’t change. Lando needs to learn how to race against Max, and that’s what he’s figuring out,” said Horner.
Horner revealed that the two rivals have already spoken following the incident at turn 3 of the Red Bull Ring, where they both suffered. Both drivers had a punctured tire from the collision and had to pit, causing a certain first and second place to go up in smoke. Verstappen was later blamed by the stewards for the crash, receiving a ten-second time penalty and two penalty points on his super license. “I don’t think there’s a problem between them,” Horner commented on the two’s meeting.
Horner’s Advice to Norris on Racing Against Verstappen
According to Horner, Norris needs to ‘learn how to race against Max’. “And that’s what he’s discovering. Max certainly won’t change,” Horner told Sky Sports. “It’s inevitable that there will be more close racing between the two, as the cars seem to be so close together in the upcoming races. Max is a tough racer. He’s probably one of the toughest racers on the circuit and everyone knows that if you have to race against Max, you can dish it out, but you also have to take it.”
‘The Audience Will Be Biased’
Horner dismisses all one-sided criticism of Verstappen, including from McLaren team boss Andrea Stella. “The conflict between the two built up over two, three, four races, in which they raced intensively and hard against each other. At some point, it happens.”
Horner downplayed expectations that Verstappen could become the target of hostilities during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend due to the collision.
“The audience will be biased and will choose for the British drivers, just as the fans in the Netherlands will always side with Max. But I think all other drivers can count on respect. I hope Max gets a reasonable reception and I’m sure it will be all orange again this weekend. Ok, maybe not Max Verstappen fans, but more McLaren fans. It won’t affect Max anyway. He is the racer he is and I’m sure he will race just as hard this weekend.”
