Lando Norris has conceded there have been points in the 2024 Formula 1 season when he’s “paid the price” for not being aggressive enough against Max Verstappen.
Norris’ tentative approach in wheel-to-wheel combat has been scrutinised over recent times as his championship contest with Verstappen has heated up on the track.
The pair were involved in a contentious race in the United States which saw Verstappen avoid being punished despite barging Norris wide on two separate occasions.
But with that having incited pressure on the FIA to clamp down on Verstappen’s antics, the Dutchman received two penalties for similar incidents next time in Mexico.
Norris, though, had stated his intention to address how he manages Verstappen in light of recent events, though he insisted that he wouldn’t bow to external pressure.
But while he has acknowledged that being lenient has cost him in certain moments, Norris has stressed that his cautious attitude has also helped him in some cases.
Asked whether being exposed more to racing Verstappen would cause him to overhaul his approach, Norris told media including Motorsport Week in Brazil: “No, I think something I’ve done well my whole career is always normally stay out of trouble and keep the car in one piece.
“All those little things add up over a championship and over a season, especially in a cost cap season as well.
“But I think I’ve always had the mentality to want to race fair and clean and sometimes I’ve been on the too kind side, whether I was attacking or defending and things like that.
“But I think I’ve always made good decisions from that side and sometimes I’ve paid the price for not being aggressive enough. But the rest of it is not up to me.
“But I know how to keep the car in one piece. That’s something I’ve done for a while.”
Norris has evaded crashes with F1 rivals
Norris reiterated that there have been occasions even this season where he has been forced to evade possible contact with other drivers which haven’t been noticed.
“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 behind the TV and things like that,” he continued.
“But inside the car you know, I’m only here because I avoided this or I’ve done that or avoided this person or that person.
“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.”
READ MORE – Martin Brundle: Lando Norris has lacked ‘killer instinct’ against ‘brutal’ Max Verstappen
