Norris expects ‘cleaner battle’ with Verstappen in Brazil

Lando Norris believes Max Verstappen knows “deep down” that he did wrong and has to change his driving style after collecting two 10-second penalties for his aggressive approach during last Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix. 

McLaren’s Norris, who is 47 points behind Red Bull’s three-time champion with four race weekends remaining this season, was pushed off track twice within a few corners but went on to finish second. Verstappen was sixth. 

“We haven’t spoken,” said Norris, speaking to reporters in the paddock at Interlagos ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix. “I don’t think we need to. I’ve got nothing to say. 

“I still have a lot of respect for Max and everything he does. Not respect for what he did last weekend, but respect for him as a person and also what he’s achieved.

“But it’s not for me to speak to him. I’m not his teacher, I’m not his mentor or anything like that. 

“Max knows what he has to do, he knows that he did wrong. Deep down he does and it’s for him to change not for me.”

Verstappen has offered no hint of any concession to changing his style despite widespread criticism of his aggressive approach to overtaking battles. 

“It’s not something I need to speak to Max about. He’s probably one of the most capable drivers on the grid, if not the most,” added Norris. “He knows what he can and can’t do and where the limits are — so he knows the changes he has to make.”

He added: “I stayed out of trouble and did my job, but every weekend is a new weekend, right? I don’t know what to expect this time.

“Obviously, I hope and I expect a cleaner battle than we had, but it’s not up to me.“I don’t make the rules. I don’t decide the penalties. I just drive and the stewards do the rest.”