Because the two rivals clashed on Sunday in Mexico City as they did the previous week in Austin, this time with a happier ending for Norris. After two impetuous maneuvers, Verstappen received two ten-second penalties and lost important points in the World Cup duel.
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Sainz won the Mexican GP ahead of Norris
In the end, Verstappen crossed the finish line in sixth place in the Red Bull, while Norris was happy with second place in the much faster McLaren between the two Ferraris of GP winner Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Norris described Verstappen’s reckless overtaking maneuvers on the tenth lap as “not very clean”, but he saw it coming. “I knew what to expect. It’s clear that it doesn’t matter whether he wins or comes second. His only job is to beat me.”
“It is what it is”
Norris has more to lose in the World Cup fight than Verstappen, and the Dutchman, who is known for his risky driving style, also knows that. In Austin, Norris received a much-discussed five-second penalty after an aggressive maneuver by Verstappen, which saw the Briton placed fourth, just behind the three-time champion. The Red Bull star exceeded the limit in Mexico. “It is what it is,” Verstappen said of the penalties.
Rather, it was the performance of his car that bothered him. “I had no grip. The tire management was also bad,” he complained. Four races and two sprints before the end of the season, Verstappen’s lead over Norris is now only 47 points. “We can’t afford a race like that anymore. We have to find speed,” said Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko in an ORF interview.
“Max has the image, he’s a tough driver”
The 81-year-old Styrian partially agreed with the penalties against Verstappen. “Max has the image that he is a tough driver. I think they wanted to set a certain example. 15 seconds would have been enough,” explained Marko, who admitted, however, that the Red Bulls would not have been able to do so even if the race had progressed normally to keep up with the pace of Ferrari and McLaren.
Before the next Grand Prix in Brazil at the weekend, one thing made Marko positive: “We are currently losing significantly to the competition in slow corners. But with Qatar and Las Vegas we have two tracks where things should be better.” In the constructors’ championship, the Austro racing team was overtaken by Ferrari, with the Scuderia now in second place with 537 points behind McLaren (566) and ahead of Red Bull Racing (512).
“The constructors’ championship is still our goal. We now just have to continue as we did in the last two races,” said Austin winner Leclerc. “We’re back in the middle of it all,” emphasized Sainz, who wants to make the most of the last four racing weekends for Ferrari before his forced departure (to Williams). Scuderia team boss Frédéric Vasseur was of course in a good mood and watched the title fight with benevolence. “It’s comfortable for us when the others fight each other. Then we can concentrate on our things,” said the Frenchman.
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**Interview with Lando Norris: Reactions from the Mexican Grand Prix**
**Editor:** Joining us today is McLaren driver Lando Norris, who secured a commendable second place at the recent Mexican Grand Prix. Lando, welcome!
**Lando Norris:** Thank you! It’s great to be here.
**Editor:** Let’s dive right into the race. You had quite a battle with Max Verstappen, who received two penalties. Can you walk us through what happened during those intense moments?
**Lando Norris:** Yeah, it was a pretty wild race! I saw Max trying to make some aggressive moves early on, and I knew he’d push the limits. His overtaking, especially on lap ten, was definitely “not very clean,” as I said earlier. I was expecting something like that from him. He races hard, and it’s clear he’s focused on beating me more than anything else.
**Editor:** After your experience in Austin, where you received a penalty, do you feel like the racing stewards are applying different standards for different drivers?
**Lando Norris:** It’s hard to say. Each race is different, and the stewards have their criteria. Max has this reputation as a tough driver, and maybe that played a part in the way they handled the penalties. For me, it’s about focusing on my driving and not getting tangled up in that. At the end of the day, I just need to perform my best.
**Editor:** How do you feel about Max’s comments regarding his car performance and tire management during the race?
**Lando Norris:** I can relate. Tire management is crucial—if you can’t find grip, it’s a struggle. But I’m glad we were able to maximize our performance with the McLaren. We need to keep building on that for the remaining races.
**Editor:** Speaking of the championship, with just four races left, how do you feel about your position in the standings compared to Verstappen?
**Lando Norris:** It’s definitely a tight situation. I have more riding on this championship fight, and every point counts. But I’m focused on what I can control. If we keep performing well, especially as we head into Brazil, we have a great chance.
**Editor:** Ferrari has been strong lately, as seen with Carlos Sainz’s victory. How do you view the battle between McLaren and Ferrari going forward?
**Lando Norris:** Ferrari has really stepped it up. It’s exciting for the championship and keeps things competitive. We need to continue our momentum and push hard. Those last few races are going to be crucial.
**Editor:** Lastly, looking ahead to Brazil, what do you anticipate for that race?
**Lando Norris:** It should be a unique challenge. Each track can be very different, so we’ll be working hard to adapt our strategy and setup. I’m just looking forward to racing again and hopefully securing more points for myself and the team!
**Editor:** Thank you so much for your time, Lando. Best of luck in Brazil!
**Lando Norris:** Thank you! Appreciate it.
Weekends. It’s all about consistency now, especially with how tight the championship battle is getting.
**Editor:** Speaking of consistency, you’re now only 47 points behind Max in the World Championship standings. How do you approach these remaining races with that in mind?
**Lando Norris:** Every race counts, and we need to capitalize on every opportunity. I know Max and Red Bull are strong, but if we can keep pushing and performing well, anything can happen. The pressure is on, but I thrive under that. It’s about staying focused, putting in the hard work, and trusting in the team.
**Editor:** With the upcoming races in Brazil, Qatar, and Las Vegas, what are your expectations?
**Lando Norris:** Each track presents its unique challenges. Brazil is always an exciting race, and I’m looking forward to that atmosphere. Qatar and Las Vegas will be interesting as well, especially with the new layout in Vegas. I believe we have the potential to be competitive at all of them. As I’ve said, we need to keep performing at our best and aim for podiums.
**Editor:** You’ve mentioned your goal of finishing strong this season. Any particular focus areas you and the team are working on?
**Lando Norris:** Absolutely. We’re always analyzing data to find those extra tenths. Tire management will be key, as I mentioned earlier, and making sure the car is set up perfectly for each track is vital. Maintaining communication with the team during races to adapt to changing conditions is also crucial.
**Editor:** What are your thoughts on the constructors’ championship race, especially with Ferrari now ahead of Red Bull in points?
**Lando Norris:** It’s a tight battle, and every point matters. I’m excited to see how it unfolds. Ferrari has been performing well, and we need to keep pushing to stay ahead of Red Bull. It motivates us to work harder. The constructors’ championship is our goal, and I’m confident we can secure it if we continue our momentum.
**Editor:** Lando, thank you for your insight and best of luck in the remaining races!
**Lando Norris:** Thanks! I appreciate it. Looking forward to what’s ahead!
