Norris reveals F1 element in which he 'paid the price'

Lando Norris has conceded he “paid the price” in the past for not being aggressive enough in wheel-to-wheel combat.

Norris has been locked in battle with Max Verstappen for much of the ongoing campaign as he looked to claim his maiden F1 title.

However, Verstappen's dominant win in Brazil last time out has placed the Dutchman on the verge of a fourth straight championship.

Verstappen's performance in Sao Paulo followed two consecutive weekends during which he forced Norris wide.

Norris suggested his priority in battle is to keep the car undamaged and to avoid a build-up of unnecessary costs.

“I think something I've done well in my whole career is staying out of trouble and keep the car in one piece," Norris told media including RacingNews365. 

"All those little things add up over a championship and over a season, especially in a cost cap season as well.

“I've always had the mentality to want to race fair and clean. I've been maybe too kind, whether I was attacking or defending. But I think I've always made good decisions from that side.”

However, Norris has acknowledged he has likely lost points in the past for not being robust enough on the track. 

“Sometimes I've paid the price for not being aggressive enough, but the rest of it is not up to me,” he said.

“Even when you don't realise it, there are times when you have to avoid a potential crash and maybe you don't see it on the TV.

“There are more times that people realise that you go through those certain scenarios.  And I think those are some of the challenges we have every now and then.”