Verstappen relentless after clash with Norris: 'I'm here to win, not for P2'

Max Verstappen may have been blamed by the stewards for the crash with Lando Norris, but it will not make the Red Bull Racing driver drive any differently. Asked why he entered the fight so fiercely, Verstappen states that he might as well stay at home if he does not.

Verstappen was not only penalised by the stewards - a measure he ultimately did not feel because of his large lead over Nico Hulkenberg - but also received a lot of criticism after the Austrian Grand Prix. Many felt the Dutchman was too fierce in his defence, and British media compared the fight to the bitter battle between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in 2021.

Asked why he did not just let Norris pass since he leads the championship anyway and there was a likely penalty for Norris. "I could also stay home. I’m here to win, not to finish P2. And when u are fighting for the win, why can’t you fight in a hard way? That’s not how or should people operate," he said in a conversation with Canal+.

Despite the crash, Verstappen went home with 10 points - and thus a bigger lead in the Formula 1 standings. The Dutchman stopped for new tyres and was then able to continue his way and take fifth place. Norris was less lucky: McLaren tried to repair his car, but in vain. The F1 race ended in a retirement for Norris.