Max Verstappen was most involved after the crash in Austria with saving his friendship with Lando Norris

SILVERSTONE, England – Max Verstappen He mentioned that his precedence after the Austrian Grand Prix was to clear issues up with Lando Norris after the 2 collided whereas combating for the lead of the race.

VErstappen and Norriswho’re shut pals off the monitor, suffered punctures after touching wheels whereas battling for place with seven laps to go.

Requested instantly afterwards whether or not the collision would have an effect on their relationship, Norris mentioned: “It is dependent upon what he says. If he says he did not do something unsuitable, then I am going to lose numerous respect for that.”

The 2 drivers spoke on Monday after the race and once more on Wednesday, with Norris admitting earlier than the British Grand Prix this weekend that he “exaggerated” and that there was no want for Verstappen to apologize.

When requested concerning the aftermath, Verstappen mentioned his predominant concern was ensuring their friendship had not been affected by the collision.

“The one factor I care about is sustaining my relationship with Lando, as a result of we’re nice pals,” Verstappen mentioned. “For me, after the race, I mentioned we have to let issues settle down as a result of feelings had been working excessive.

“We spoke right away on Monday and I feel we got here to the conclusion that we actually loved our battle. We seemed on the incident and it was such a foolish little contact that after all had huge penalties for each of us, and a bit extra so for Lando on how the puncture developed.

“However we wish to race arduous,” Verstappen continued. “We have finished this for a few years, not solely in Formulation One, even in highway racing, the place we have had numerous enjoyable collectively, and this stuff need to proceed as a result of that is what we love to do, and I feel it is unbelievable for Formulation One as effectively.

“We agreed on 99% of every little thing. That is lots, I feel. And naturally I instructed Lando, if you’re in search of strikes inside and outside, you possibly can belief me, I am not there to get you out of the way in which. The identical the opposite means round, as a result of we talked about that too.”

Requested concerning the criticism he acquired, Verstappen added: “I do not give a f*** about that. I am going house, dwell my life.”

“The one factor I cared about was my relationship with Lando.”

Verstappen, who was handed a 10-second penalty for the collision, defended his method to racing, saying all winners push the boundaries of the rules and it was regular to defend himself as he did in Austria.

“Naturally, there’s all the time a human response when somebody will get submerged inside or out, that you’ve a little bit of a response. However I felt that every little thing I did was nothing vastly exaggerated.

“In fact, it is like designing the automotive, making an attempt to push the boundaries of the principles,” Verstappen continued. “Possibly you discover some gray areas right here and there. And that is the way you race.”

“In any other case you’ll by no means be an excellent driver and you’ll by no means achieve success in life anyway.”

Verstappen continued to minimize feedback made instantly after the crash.

“I do know after all Lando, he is an excellent man, he is a very nice one that loves Formulation 1, after all he loves racing,” Verstappen mentioned.

“He’s very enthusiastic about it, naturally, after the race you even have to grasp that he’s combating for his second doable victory. I’m combating for my 62nd victory.”

“Naturally, your feelings are a bit totally different. I do know that from myself, after I was combating for these first victories in F1. Nevertheless it’s okay, that is why I additionally inform him to let it settle down a bit and we’ll discuss tomorrow.”