Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies denied that there was any foul play in Yuki Tsunoda’s tussle with Lando Norris during the title-deciding Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Brit did enough to secure the Drivers’ title by two points from Max Verstappen, who took victory in the race at the Yas Marina Circuit, with Norris finishing third.
Midway during the race, after making his only pit stop, Norris was gaining on Verstappen’s team-mate Tsunoda, who had started on Hard tyres and had not yet pitted.
The Japanese driver was ordered to valiantly defend the position, in order to help Verstappen, with a non-podium for Norris enough for the Dutchman to be crowned.
Tsunoda, in what was his final race for Red Bull, dutifully replied to “leave it with me”, and when Norris predictably caught up with him, the battle was fierce and close.
On the straight towards the chicane at Turn 6/7, Norris opened up his DRS and went down the inside of Tsunoda, who forced Norris as close to the barrier as he could.
Norris kept his foot down and muscled past, gaining the position, in what was, ultimately, a title-winning manoeuvre.
Tsunoda was handed a five-second penalty for his move, but after the race, Mekies was adamant there was no wrongdoing invovled by either Tsunoda or the team.
“I don’t know if you want to call it the edge or not,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “I think we had a very strong fight, but we had a fair and clean fight. It’s the way we go racing.
“We push everything to the limit, but we certainly respect the competitions. But make no mistake, everything is pushed to the limit and sometimes beyond.
“But when it comes to sporting fairness and respecting the competitions, we think we can do both, being at the very limit and being respectful for the competitions.
“Sport is a battle between giants and we feel very strongly in that fight and we respect our competitors.”
Mekies ‘surprised’ that Norris did not receive penalty for Tsunoda overtake
Norris was also placed under investigation for his role in the battle, as his McLaren had all four wheels off the circuit, and on the painted extremities instead.
But race control deemed the overtake legal, due to the manner in which Tsunoda had forced him to complete it.
That was not the view of Mekies, who was shocked that the #4 McLaren did not receive any sort of reprimand for it.
“It was a surprise [Norris wasn’t penalised], but the stewards have the most difficult job in the world in these situations,” he continued.
“We were surprised, but ultimately it didn’t affect the championship result, so we stand by the victory and congratulate Lando on the title.”
READ MORE – Yuki Tsunoda reveals what prevented him backing Lando Norris up more in Abu Dhabi
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