Verstappen comments on close-call with Norris: 'He made sure the grass was nicely cut!'

After the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen acknowledged Lando Norris’ attempt to overtake at the pitlane exit, where the two came out side by side and nearly made contact.

After securing the race victory, Verstappen said: "Yes, I think the grass was not really well cut on the right-hand side, so I think, yeah, Lando saw that as well and he made sure that it was nicely cut," Verstappen joked after the Japanese Grand Prix.

Verstappen keeps it lighthearted after the incident

The interviewer then asked if the four-time world champion had more to say about this moment. "What do you want me to say?", answered Verstappen.

Read also

Verstappen's Suzuka miracle: 'Perfect farewell to Honda'

Norris brutally honest on 'boring' Japanese Grand Prix: 'Is that all that happened?'

During the Grand Prix, this moment led to complaints over team radio from both drivers. Norris said that Verstappen pushed him off the track. Verstappen said that Norris chose to go off track and that there was nowhere to go. In the end, neither driver was punished.

Next weekend, the pair have another chance to battle at the Bahrain International Circuit in the second leg of the triple header. Max Verstappen now sits just one point behind championship leader Lando Norris. After three rounds, three drivers have won a Grand Prix in 2025.

This article was written in collaboration with Sandy van Wijngaarden