Brundle: Ridiculous Jos and Horner spat affecting Verstappen?

Brundle not only analysed the detail how the intriguing battle between the F1's current standout drivers - Verstappen and Norris - but also ventured: "I'm making no excuses for Max, but I do wonder if the ridiculous spat between his father Jos and team boss Christian Horner has finally surfaced on track for him."

While fighting for the lead, no-holds-barred stuff as the two 'mates' slugged it out for top spot on the podium. Norris was unstoppable and Verstappen unmovable, inevitably they collided with the World Champion handed a 10-second penalty for his shenanigans by FIA F1 Race Stewards plus penalty points on his license. But he recovered to finish P5 and extend his lead in the 2024 F1 Drivers' World Championship standings.

Not so Norris. He suffered a DNF and a worse-for-wear McLaren which, at the time of the prang, was the faster piece of kit, also thanks to fresher Pirelli mediums than Verstappen was running.

The collision triggered memories of Verstappen's mighty clashes with Lewis Hamilton a few seasons ago. The belief was that Verstappen had matured, and also reserved his Mr Nasty Guy stuff for the seven-time F1 World Champion. Not so, no one is his 'buddy' it appears.

Reviewing the incident in his summary of Round 11 at Red Bull Ring for Sky F1, Brundle took up the story as the duel unfolded: "Up front, Verstappen was struggling for grip and then had a six-second pit stop with a sticky left-rear wheel. This reignited the race with Norris on his tail and gunning for him.

"Quickly into the one-second DRS zone, Norris relentlessly closed and, just as he had done the day before in the Sprint, lunged towards the inside into turn three. Verstappen was more ready this time and covered it off.

"Clearly angsty in the cockpit especially after the slow stop, Max was getting ever more aggressive in his defence, really pushing the limits of acceptable driving in close combat with late moves in the braking zones, but just about getting away with it.

"Lando lunged again, this time arriving too fast locking his front tyres and running wide. It was his fourth track limits violation, and he would get a five-second penalty, which sadly he would never serve. Max didn't appear to be aware of this impending penalty for his friend and rival.

"Shortly after - on lap 64 - Norris went down the outside of the Red Bull into Turn 3 for a change, Verstappen veered left and there was contact. Did he know he was there? He confirmed post-race that he did, he's on top of it all well enough. They touched and it finished Norris's race and left Verstappen limping home for three quarters of a lap with a puncture.

As they recovered from the contact, there might've been more which Brundle picked up: "What I found alarming is that after the contact and as they were both limping along, Verstappen clearly tried to impede and collect Norris if he could.

"Verstappen would get a 10-second penalty for the turn three contact, but such was his pace thereafter on fresh tyres it mattered not, as he recovered to fifth place, actually increasing his championship lead to the angst of many.

"In commentary, and in these columns, I've waxed lyrical about Max's talent, and I stand by that, he's one of the very best I've ever witnessed in 40 years. I've also said that he's calmed down, matured, and plays more the percentage game with three championships in his pocket. But that appears to have been a thin veneer as this race was very much Max 1.0, with his default driving tactics and denials resurfacing.

"And to hear the Red Bull team on the radio after the race telling him it was all Norris's fault was a difficult listen, it damages their credibility all around. It was clear Norris would get a five-second penalty for track limits and the whole thing was totally unnecessary for Red Bull.

"It must also be said that Lando's racecraft was rather gung-ho. He'll need more finesse, patience, and cunning than that if he wants to start beating Max regularly to win a championship," reckoned Brundle, in his summary of a crazy 15 minutes in Spielberg on Sunday.

Verstappen senior was in the Red Bull pit garage throughout the weekend in Spielberg. During the course of the weekend, Horner was accused of vetoing Jos taking part in a parade at the track, a claim that the team boss denied. A spat Max called unnecessary and said could've been avoided.