Norris: Verstappen will ‘fight more’ despite ban threat

McLaren’s Lando Norris has dismissed suggestions that Max Verstappen’s precarious position, sitting just one penalty point away from a Formula 1 race ban, will temper the Red Bull driver’s aggressive driving style.

Speaking ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Norris insisted that Verstappen is likely to “fight more” rather than back down, despite the risk of a suspension following his controversial clash with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Norris, who has gone toe-to-toe with Verstappen on multiple occasions and challenged him in last year’s title fight, insisted that his Red Bull rival’s no-compromise style is exactly what has made him so successful.

“Max is one of the best in the world because of how he drives. I don't think anyone can argue against that. I think it's quite a simple statement,” Norris told the media on Thursday in Montreal.

“Of course, he said he shouldn't have done what he did. You can speak to him, you don't need to speak to me about it but I'm sure he regrets doing what he did.”

While Verstappen’s actions in Barcelona were seen by many as uncharacteristically reckless, Norris acknowledged they were “a little different” from his usual calculated aggression.

“What he did was obviously a little different to probably what he normally does. It was not just a simple aggression, and good, strong, on-the-edge defensive moves. It was something obviously a little bit separate from that.

“No, I think Max is who he is, and he's achieved what he has because of how he drives. There is no reason for him to change that side.”

“He’s Still Going to Fight”

Rather than expecting Verstappen to back off while walking the tightrope of a possible suspension, Norris suggested the opposite: that Verstappen could double down.

“I don't think anything really changes,” he said. “You don't know what he's going to do. So at this point, I'm trying to think of what to do that differently.

“It's the same as normal. I think he's still going to fight. He's further behind in the points. If anything, he's still going to fight more.

• Read also: Russell surprised by Verstappen’s admission after Spanish GP clash

“So no, there's no point in trying to assume things or just guess because when you're in the position of fighting on the track, you can't just try and think: ‘Oh, he's going to give me more space and then he doesn't and then something happens’.

“There's no point assuming things or trying to think what other people are going to do. He's still fighting for the championship. He still wants to try and win every race he can.”

As the championship battle heats up, Norris appears to be preparing for the same fierce Verstappen –ban threat or not.

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