MEXICO CITY – Lando Norris stated title rival Max Verstappen’s driving on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix went past what was acceptable.

Norris was pressured vast at Flip 4 after which needed to drive off observe to keep away from Verstappen fully at Flip 8 as they battled for place early within the race.

Verstappen was handed two 10-second penalties for the incidents.

“I knew what to anticipate,” Norris stated instantly after the race. “I did not need to anticipate such a factor, as a result of I respect Max quite a bit as a driver, however I used to be able to anticipate one thing like this. This isn’t very clear driving for my part, however I averted it and it was an excellent race.”

Norris completed second, whereas the penalties dropped Verstappen down the order, ending sixth — Norris is now 47 factors behind with 4 races to go.

The McLaren driver elaborated on his stance on Verstappen within the media pen after the race.

“You recognize, I all the time go into the races and anticipate good battles and truthful battles, and naturally I anticipate a tricky battle with Max… there’s simply… I do not need to complain about it as a result of that is what I like, I like going into races and understanding that we’re gonna have an excellent battle right this moment and he is gonna put up an excellent struggle and all of these issues.

“However issues like right this moment are only a bit too far for my part, and clearly within the stewards’ opinion too, and I’d say most likely nearly all of peoples opinions, and that is simply not how I feel many individuals prefer to go racing.

“I respect Max quite a bit, I need to race exhausting towards him, but when I did not do what I did right this moment and keep away from him I might most likely be out of the race you recognize. It is powerful, however I performed my playing cards properly, I knew what to anticipate in some ways, and yeah, factors for me are good on the minute and we’ll simply hold our heads down.”

Norris stated he isn’t getting carried away together with his championship probabilities.