Norris backtracks on Verstappen claim after 'pathetic' collision

Lando Norris has back-tracked on comments made after his clash with Max Verstappen in Austria, insisting that the Red Bull driver does not need to apologise. 

The top two drivers in the championship collided at Turn 3 on Lap 64 in Austria whilst battling for the lead of the race, as Verstappen appeared to move under braking to squeeze Norris. 

The contact gave both drivers punctures as Norris retired with Verstappen taking fifth place after a pit-stop, but earned a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points on his super licence after being deemed at fault by the stewards.

Post-race, Norris described Verstappen's move as 'reckless, desperate and aggressive', with the two holding talks ahead of the British Grand Prix to clear the air. 

After the talks, McLaren driver Norris has put some of the comments he made in the immediate aftermath down to the "emotions" of the "pathetic" incident.

"Honestly, I don't think he needed to apologise, I think some of things I said in the pen post-race were just because I was frustrated at the time," Norris told media including RacingNews365. 

"I had a lot of adrenaline, a lot of emotions and I probably said some things that I didn't necessarily believe in, it was tough. 

"It was a pretty pathetic incident in terms of what ended both of our races, it wasn't an obvious bit of contact, it was probably one of the smallest bits of contact that you could have but it was a pretty terrible consequence for both of us, especially for myself. 

"He doesn't need to apologise and I don't expect an apology from him, I don't think he should apologise.

"It was good racing, and maybe you are very close to the edge, but we've spoken about it and we're both happy to go racing again."

How Verstappen races

In the fallout from the incident, Verstappen has earned criticism for his driving style, which is aggressive and uncompromising, with McLaren boss Andrea Stella even comparing the move to something from the 2021 season and the title fight against Lewis Hamilton. 

However, Norris says he "loves" how the fight against Verstappen is going, with the two having finished one-two in five of the last seven races.

"I've gone over things a few times, and a lot of the stuff I was anticipating, but it is still different as you are fighting against different people and in different ways at the top compared to when you are a bit further back like we have done in the last year," added Norris.

"But Max has a very different way of racing compared to a lot of others and it is some of the reasons why he is a champion, but all in all, I've reviewed it and am excited to go again this weekend and try to do a better job. 

"It is not stuff that I need to talk about, it is clear how he races and it is tough, it is on the limit and that is what we love, it is what I love. 

"I thoroughly enjoyed the whole fight I had with him and of course it is a shame that things ended the way they did."