Lando Norris has argued Max Verstappen “knows the changes he has to make” as a response to the penalties that he received in Formula 1‘s Mexico City Grand Prix.
Verstappen pushing Norris wide twice within a few corners at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez last weekend landed him two separate 10-second time penalties.
Norris, who recovered to second to reduce Verstappen’s points gap to 47 points, said post-race that he wanted his rival to acknowledge he had overstepped the mark.
But although the two haven’t discussed what happened, the Briton is convinced that the Red Bull driver is aware that his moves exceeded what is deemed acceptable.
“We haven’t spoken,” Norris told media including Motorsport Week in Brazil. “I don’t think we need to. I’ve got nothing to say.
“I still have a lot of respect for Max and everything he does. Not respect for what he did last weekend, but respect for him as a person and also what he’s achieved.
“But it’s not for me to speak to him. I’m not his teacher, I’m not his mentor or anything like that.
“Max knows what he has to do, he knows that he did wrong. Deep down he does and it’s for him to change, not for me.”
Norris urges Verstappen to change approach
Verstappen hasn’t expressed a public desire to alter his approach, but Norris is adamant that his title rival understands that he must adapt to avoid further penalties.
“It’s not something I need to speak to Max about. Max is probably one of the most capable drivers on the grid, if not the most,” he added.
“And he knows what he can and can’t do and where the limits are. So he knows the changes he has to make.”
Norris hopes to endure clean Verstappen battle
Norris has repeated that he hopes to sustain a clean fight with Verstappen this weekend in Brazil, though he has stressed that such an outcome won’t depend on him.
“I think the stewards did a good job,” he stated. “They have a very difficult job, but they’ve done a good job.
“I think 99% of people who watch Formula 1 and know Formula 1 agree with that.
“I think we’re happy from our side. I stayed out of trouble and did my job also, which is that.
“But every weekend is a new weekend, right? I don’t know what to expect this weekend.
“Obviously, I hope I expect a cleaner battle than what we had. It’s not up to me.
“I don’t make the rules. I don’t decide the penalties. I just drive and the stewards did the rest and they did a good job.”
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