Verstappen Norris F1 title fight sparks contentious accusation

Former F1 boss Eddie Jordan has delivered a punchy accusation in the wake of the recent Brazilian Grand Prix which saw Max Verstappen and Lando Norris the victims of red flags for different reasons

Three-time F1 champion Verstappen was left annoyed that FIA race director Niels Wittich did not bring an immediate halt to qualifying at Interlagos when Lance Stroll crashed his Aston Martin late in Q2.

It resulted in Verstappen being knocked out and starting from 17th on the grid after being handed a five-place penalty for his RB20 taking on an additional internal combustion engine.

Norris, meanwhile, was compromised by a red flag when Williams' Franco Colapinto crashed on the climb up the hill into the final corner.

After pitting for fresh intermediates shortly beforehand, just as a VSC for another incident was coming to an end, Norris and early leader George Russell in his Mercedes found themselves behind Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly sandwiching Verstappen.

Although the British pair were in a strong position, they lost out when the red flags flew for Colapinto, allowing the leading trio a free pit stop to take on fresh rubber.

Discussing the safety car situation in the latest episode of their Formula For Success podcast, 13-time grand prix winner David Coulthard suggested that "the luck of where the safety car comes out is the luck of the racing gods".

He added: "We have to assume that the race director never looks at things like where cars are [on track] as to when he calls the safety car."

Jordan interjects and replies: "Of course he does."

"Well, there you go. You can say that. I can't," said Coulthard.

"Of course he does," repeats Jordan. "Are you telling me that Max was dealt a fair deal? Was he dealt a fair deal when the red flag came out, six cars, seven cars later? Come on, David! Don't be stupid!

"You know the Gods are in Lando's hands. They want Lando to win this championship, but he's not going to, because Max has outfoxed them. That's it."

After thanking Jordan for his comment, the Irishman added: "It's true, isn't it?"

Responding, Coulthard said: "Well, look, I don't know if it's true. I think that sometimes the racing Gods..."

Only for Jordan to jump in again. "The red flag was wrong," said Jordan. "It was a mistake. He went and f***ed up didn't he."