Norris on pit lane incident: 'Verstappen is the last guy to give any space'

08:45, 06 Apr

byKada Sarkozi

Lando Norris finished in P2 at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Briton was close to Max Verstappen, but other than that pit lane incident, did not have the chance to make a move.

During the only stop of the day, Norris and Verstappen entered pit lane together. The Red Bull crew completed a slower stop, and the two drivers were side-by-side as they exited the pit lane.

"It's racing I think. He was still ahead, it kind of squeezes into one [lane], and Max is the last guy I expect go give any space," Norris smiled about the incident. "In a good way or a racing way, so nothing more on that," he concluded.

'Max was good today'

About the rest of the laps completed today, Norris said: "I guess I just lost out yesterday. Max drove a good race today, no mistakes," he praised his rival.

"The pace was too similar today to do anything more. Long race, a lot of pushing. It was a flat out race from start to finish, so tough, but just not enough today, nothing special that we had that we could get Max on. They were quick and no mistakes, so he deserved it."

Currently, a single point separates Norris and Verstappen. "I think it’s still been a very good weekend. Obviously, we didn’t get the positions that we wanted. We’re fighting for a win every weekend, but they deserved it. Both Red Bull and Max deserved it this weekend. They’re quick, they’ve been catching up, they’ve obviously made some improvements, and as a team, we didn’t have enough this weekend. So we’re going to have to work harder for the next one," Norris concluded.