Lando Norris highlights critical Max Verstappen advantage for remainder of F1 season

Lando Norris has highlighted Max Verstappen can afford to be more aggressive in wheel-to-wheel battles as he is not in contention for the F1 title.

Verstappen was engaged in a fight with Norris in the opening stages of the Italian Grand Prix last weekend, which started at the opening corner of the race.

After Verstappen was instructed by his team to hand position over to Norris to avoid a time penalty after skipping Turn 1, Verstappen launched a fresh attack on the McLaren driver and successfully overtook him for the lead.

Norris, who currently trails team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri by 31 points, labelled the battle as “nerve-rackingly close”.

The Briton explained he must err on the side of caution compared to Verstappen or risk seeing his championship hopes evaporate.

“The main part I said was nerve-rackingly close was when he overtook me into Turn 1 on the outside, on lap two or three, whatever it was,” Norris told media including RacingNews365. 

“That's the one where it's like, who wants to brake the latest?

“But I knew being on the inside that Max is in a much stronger position than I am.

“He can afford to be a lot more on the edge and aggressive than I can. I can't afford to lose a front wing or have a little bit of damage, whatever it might be.

“I felt like I took the risks that needed to be taken and did my part, but just not quick enough.”

Norris ended the race in second place, over 19 seconds behind Verstappen - marking the biggest win margin of the season so far.

It was just the fourth time in 16 races McLaren has been defeated this year.

“I wish it [the battle] could last a bit longer than it did,” Norris added. 

“Just a tough race for us, not the pace we wanted. I think we were hoping to at least fight for a win.”