Lando Norris has responded to his crash with Max Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix, saying he has lost respect for the reigning champion.
The Austrian Grand Prix ended in dramatic fashion on Sunday as race leader Max Verstappen collided with second-place Lando Norris on lap 64.
Verstappen qualified first and held a comfortable lead until the 52nd lap when a slow pit stop allowed the Brit to come within touching distance of the Dutchman.
But just as it looked like Norris was finally going to take the lead, the pair collided, forcing the 24-year-old to retire from the race.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I don’t know what to say, disappointed, nothing more than that honestly.
“I look forward to a fair battle, a strong fair battle, but I wouldn’t say that’s what it was in the end, so tough one to take.
“It was a mistake-free race from my side, and I feel like I did a job, but I got taken out of the race.
Norris pointed out rule that you cannot react to another driver on the track, something that he mentioned to his team over the radio.
He added: “That’s what he did three times out of three, two times I managed to avoid it and the third time he just ran into me.
“I was just trying to enjoy my race and it was clear he was a lot slower at the end.
“He ruined his own race just as much as he ruined mine. If the rules aren’t followed, I can’t do anything about that."
Verstappen finished the race in fifth, earning 15 points with an additional point for having the fastest lap.
With Norris hoping to chase Verstappen for the Drivers Championship, the result could prove crucial by the end of the season, leading to him admitting that he has now lost respect for his close friend.
“I don’t know, it depends on what he says. If he says he did nothing wrong, then I'd lose a lot of respect for that,” confessed Norris.
“If he admits to being a bit stupid and running into me and being a bit reckless then I’ll have a small amount of respect for him.”
And, when he was asked about the incident on Sky Sports, Verstappen seemed to dodge taking responsibly for causing the crash.
He said: "Everyone can have their own opinion but I'm the one driving and the best in control... I think the guy in the car knows best what he's doing.
“I need to look back out why or how we touched and of course we will talk about it.”
Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris
Ben McCrum