F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Coulthard: ‘Hell will freeze over’ before Verstappen apologizes

Anyone expecting Max Verstappen to apologise to Lando Norris for his aggressive driving in the Austrian Grand Prix, as the McLaren driver suggested he should do, must not hold their breath insists F1 commentator David Coulthard.

The dust has yet to settle after Sunday’s titanic on-track spat between Verstappen and Norris. The pair locked horns in a thrilling battle that unfolded in the closing stages of the race at the Red Bull Ring.

But on lap 64 of 71, the pair came to blows at the tight, uphill Turn 3 hairpin where they made contact and took each other out of the race.

The incident resulted in a 10-second penalty and two penalty points for Verstappen, who was deemed primarily responsible for the crash by the FIA stewards in Austria.

Norris, forced to retire due to the damage, declared he would "lose a lot of respect" for Verstappen if an apology wasn't offered at some point by the Dutchman.

However, Coulthard believes an admission of wrongdoing by the three-time world champion is a long shot.

“Hell freezing over, I think is the expression,” the firmer F1 driver told Britain’s Channel 4 when the prospect was put to him of Verstappen apologising to Norris for their contact.

“Max is going to go ‘I was racing – it’s hard racing.’ This is the first time Lando is experiencing going wheel to wheel really on a weekend in, weekend out basis.

“We know how it was when it was Lewis who was going wheel to wheel with Max. Max is one of the hardest racers, to beat him you’ve got to match him.”

Coulthard reckoned that the run-in between the two drivers was avoidable, for both. While Verstappen’s driving was sanctioned by the stewards, Coulthard acknowledged Verstappen's perspective as a hard-nosed racer who won't back down easily.

“There was that contact as they enter the corner, further contact once they’ve gone through the apex, both of them with punctures and damage – avoidable incidents from both, it’s cost them both finishing the race,” the Scot explained.

“This will be the thing that Lando is complaining about, just at that final part of the entry to the corner, that Max is continuing to come over to the left and he’ll claim ‘he squeezed me and you’re not allowed to do that under braking.’

“Look, he’s definitely crowded Lando across the track. If there was a barrier there, then they both would have sort of ricocheted off it.

“I completely get Max will say ‘Well, hold on a minute, he could have gone further over the kerb’, but the stewards have looked at it, they’ve got more information, they’ve given a penalty to Max.

“Ultimately, it doesn’t make a difference to where he finished in the race.”

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

36 mins ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

2 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

3 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

5 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

7 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

8 hours ago