Lando Norris Declared a Victim of FIA “Idiocy” as F1 Pundit Scrutinizes Max Verstappen’s Aggressive Style

Lando Norris’ Austrian GP radio messages fell on deaf ears. The McLaren driver kept attempting late divebombs on Max Verstappen but was met with the reigning champion’s weaving under braking. Norris took to his team radio and complained about the Red Bull driver’s illegal moves, but the FIA took no action. Former Ferrari manager Peter Windsor has dissected this situation, explaining how these rules are highly subjective and rather stupid.

In 2016, the FIA introduced new rules which forbid drivers from changing lines under braking. Unofficially called the ‘Max Verstappen rule‘, F1’s action stemmed from the Dutchman’s aggressive style, which could’ve caused dangerous crashes. Norris accused his friend of re-enacting his younger self to hold the race lead at the Red Bull Ring. Though Peter Windsor has defended Verstappen, he couldn’t help but lament the FIA’s rule.

“I do think that Max was perfect in Turn 4 a couple of times when Lando was complaining about his moving,” Windsor said on Cameron F1’s YT channel. “But again, a lot of this comes under the heading of the idiocy of that law, that rule. And it comes under the heading of what I’ve been talking about with DRS. It’s the same thing. Ever since they’ve tried to regulate what drivers do under braking, it’s been a mess. It’s much a mess as this whole concept of when you go into a corner, the guy on the outside has just as much right to the corner as the guy on the inside. As I said, it’s very difficult (for the FIA) to cover every single moment of high-speed braking into a corner,” he concluded, eventually blaming neither driver.

The 72-year-old Briton also explained how Verstappen and Norris are in different subsets when it comes to corner-driving. This makes it difficult to give a fair judgment without upsetting any one party. While his views are FIA-related, former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan gave a clear verdict on the driver in the wrong.

Eddie Jordan grills Lando’ Norris lack of preparation before taking on Max Verstappen, the “bear”

The Austrian GP was Lando Norris‘ first time battling Max Verstappen for the victory. His Miami GP win had stemmed from a lucky safety car break. This time, though he was confident, his overtaking attempts displayed desperation. Post-race, he outright blamed his rival for the collision, demanding an apology as well. However, as per Eddie Jordan, the 24-year-old should’ve been better prepped if he wanted to go against the reigning world champion.

“Max is a fighter, he’s a bear,” Jordan said on the Formula for Success podcast. “And before you get in the ring with a bear, you have to make sure you’re prepared for it, to go one side and the other side to then play this. The actual incident itself could have been so easily avoided. When you’re defending and in the lead, it’s no different to the road rules that the person in front of you has the right of way.”

The F1 world will remain divided unless a fair fight follows at the British GP this weekend. Norris’ home crowd should get him going, but as we’ve seen in the past, Verstappen is no stranger to unwarranted hostility. However, with Mercedes riding a wave of confidence after George Russell’s Austrian GP victory, a three-way battle might ensue.