Mexican GP: Lando Norris says Max Verstappen crossed a line

MEXICO CITY – Lando Norris said title rival Max Verstappen's performance at the Mexico City Grand Prix went beyond the acceptable.

Norris was forced off the track at Turn 4 and then had to come off the track at Turn 8 to completely avoid Verstappen as they battled for position early in the race.

Verstappen received two 10-second penalties for the incidents.

“I knew what to expect,” said Norris immediately after the race. “I didn't want to expect something like that because I respect Max a lot as a driver, but I was prepared to expect something like that. In my opinion this is not very clean driving, but I avoided it and it was a good race.”

Norris finished second while Verstappen dropped to sixth due to the penalties – Norris is now 47 points behind with four races to go.

The McLaren driver explained his attitude towards Verstappen to the media writer after the race.

“You know, I always go into the races expecting good and fair fights, and of course I expect a tough fight with Max… there's just… I don't want to complain about it because that's what I want dear, I love it's racing and knowing that we're going to put up a good fight today and he's going to put up a good fight and all those things.

“But things like today are just a bit too far in my opinion, and of course the stewards' opinion, and I would say probably the majority of people's opinion, and I just don't think a lot of people like racing.”

“I respect Max a lot, I want to race him hard, but if I hadn't done what I did today and avoided him, I probably would have been out of the race. It's tough but I played my cards well. “I knew what to expect in a lot of ways and yeah, the points are good for me at the moment and we'll just hang our heads.”

Norris said he's not getting carried away with his championship chances.