Former F1 Driver Slams Norris for ‘Selfishly’ Pushing Perez Off in Austria

Lando Norris was involved in an incident with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez at the recent Austrian Grand Prix; which resulted in him getting a 5-second time penalty. While some may say the action by the FIA was too harsh, former F1 driver, Timo Glock feels that Norris should have given the Mexican driver some space.

While Perez was hunting down, Norris around the Red Bull Ring this past weekend, he went for the outside at turn 4; the McLaren driver did his best to block him, which saw the Mexican driver in the gravel without any major contact. This resulted in the 21-year-old getting two penalty points and a 5-second time penalty.

Lando Norris is the one at fault, states Glock

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former German F1 driver said, “I think you have to leave the place. It’s already difficult to overtake in Formula 1. It should therefore be fair to overtake both inside and outside.”

Formula One F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – July 4, 2021 McLaren’s Lando Norris during the race REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

“There are no rules which says that you can’t overtake outside in Formula 1. Whoever tries knows what dangerous situation he is in. In my opinion, you should, in fairness, give the opponent the space so that he has the chance to overtake, ” Glock explained.

“Norris knows that he is being attacked. Accordingly, you have to act as a driver and let the other overtake. Those in this situation always argue for themselves, of course. When you think about racing and the show and we are good sport want to offer, you have to give the opponent enough space and not say selfishly: ‘I’ll push him off the track’,” he concluded. (Quotes translated from German using Google)

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Despite a harsh penalty, he brought a podium home for McLaren

The Austrian GP saw the Brit have his best-ever start in Formula One as he qualified the second-fastest. giving the Woking-based outfit to score another podium this season. However, when he was served a 5-second time penalty due to his incident with Perez; it stole the hopes from the McLaren garage.

Formula One F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – July 4, 2021 McLaren’s Lando Norris during the race REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

He later served the penalty during the pitstop and begun his hunt to regain positions. In the closing laps of the race, Norris over took seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton to bring a P3 finish for McLaren; making it their third podium this season.

Now, Norris awaits for the British Grand Prix- his home race and is hoping to treat his fans to performance similar to the one at the Red Bull Ring, this past weekend. Currently, in the best form of his life with three podiums under his belt, Norris is hoping to achieve better results for the Papaya team this season as it progresses.

Read More: ‘Love You, Lewis’- Lando Norris Takes a Bow as Hamilton Praises His Driving at Austrian GP

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