Parc Ferme: Norrispect and Max aggression

Minding his own business in a rather vanilla third place, George kept his hands out, and the proverbial coconut fell into them as he passed under palm sixty-four of the race.

Russell was suitably animated passing the chequered flag. However, this paled in comparison to the pleasure displayed by his normally stolid boss. Like someone who’d been repeatedly getting their ass kicked, he displayed the kind of joy only known to a man who had finally planted one in their opponent’s plums. It was made all the sweeter, of course, as it was in their backyard in front of their mates. Toto Wolff was a happy camper!

The Austrian Grand Prix incident that precipitated this most fortuitous win has been blamed squarely on Max Verstappen and his dad. The latter’s presence is attributed to the return of his blunt trauma overtaking and defending technique. However, I beg to differ.

It has been a long time since Verstappen has actually had to race someone on the limit. For some time, the RB20 has been the superior Formula 1 ride. Combined with his skill as a race driver, passing other cars has required little more than pulling out of their slipstream and giving a wave as he sailed by. Consequently, this led to a general consensus that Max had grown up, matured, and been rehabilitated. He was no longer the overtaking blunt instrument of 2021.

However, the MCL38 is now the quicker car, and has been, for at least the last three to four Grands Prix. In fact, its superior tyre degradation to the Red Bull should have garnered a few more wins by now. Unfortunately for McLaren et al, Max’s talent and Red Bull’s excellent pit wall strategy had enabled them to continue to dominate. That is, until last Sunday when a six-second lead over Norris was eradicated by an uncharacteristically fumbled pit stop.

The gap now closed, the ensuing laps saw Norris frustrated as Verstappen regularly moved under braking to defend his position. Eventually, Norris launched what can only be described as a “forlorn hope” move around the outside of turn three.

What followed was highly predictable and demonstrated a level of naivety and lack of intel on your enemy. Max, unsurprisingly, rolled the dice, hung Norris out to dry, and, by doing so, damaged both cars. Both limped back to the pits, Max to change his punctured tyre and continue, Norris, to retire his ride. Penalties were applied, as per the rule book but the net effect meant the World Champion extended his lead over his nearest rival.

A post-incident pit interview then ensued, with the young British driver giving a bottom-lip trembling interview. He questioned his “friend’s” respect and whether he would fess up to his wrongdoing.

News Flash Lando: He’s not your friend and cares nothing about respect from anyone other than his father and family. Ok, maybe not his family but certainly his dad. In fact, he probably thinks you’re a dumb ass for trying to get by him at that corner, in that manner.

If Norris wants to be an F1 World Champion, he needs to change his attitude and look at how Lewis Hamilton managed Max in 2021. Firstly, make sure Max understands he will be put in the wall if he wants to roll this way. Secondly, if he requires a friend, get a dog.

Meanwhile, I’m sending him a new spine for the British Grand Prix. Come on Lando, you need to do this quickly, otherwise your teammate will!