Here's where Verstappen stands on Norris incident: 'An expensive lawnmower!'

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris nearly crashed as they exited the pits during their battle for the lead at the Japanese Grand Prix, and the Dutchman takes it with humour.

At the end of lap 21, Verstappen and Norris boxed. McLaren did a better job than Red Bull managing to release the Briton quicker.

Norris ends up on the grass and Verstappen retains lead

Norris then, still behind Verstappen tried to get closer to Verstappen to try and take the lead. However, the Dutchman did not move, which resulted in the McLaren driver going off onto the grass.

Norris then took to the radio to report Verstappen: "He forced me off. He saw me alongside, I was easily alongside."

Verstappen defended his actions with Gianpiero Lambiase saying that the Briton had put himself on the grass, adding: "Also he pressed the pit limiter off too early, there's no way that was legal."

Despite noting the incident, the stewards later dismissed the issue concluding no investigation was necessary.

'Quite an expensive lawnmower!'

After the race, in the cool down room, Verstappen, Norris, accompanied by P3 Oscar Piastri, sat down to watch the highlights of the race. The Australian made a reference to the amount of grass the incident between the two had blown up into the air.

Verstappen upon reviewing the incident several times, quipped to Norris: "That's quite an expensive lawnmower."

The pair shall face off again next week as the battle for the continues in Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix.