F1 icon tells Lando Norris to crash into Max Verstappen as rivalry gets heated

Lando Norris has been ordered to toughen up in his battles with Max Verstappen and even risk crashing into the F1 champion.

The pair have been involved in controversial moments at the last two grand prix. As they fought over third place at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Norris passed Verstappen off the track after being run wide by the Red Bull driver. The McLaren man was hit with a five-second penalty and lost his place on the podium, which went to Verstappen.

The title rivals were at it again in Mexico last weekend, with Verstappen deemed at fault. The three-time world champion was penalised with two 10-second penalties for driving Norris off the track twice on the same lap.

The Dutchman is renowned for his no-nonsense tactics in battle, which were also on display during his dramatic title fight with Lewis Hamilton in 2021. Despite his penalties in Mexico, Verstappen has vowed not to change his ways.

Therefore, former McLaren and Williams star Juan Pablo Montoya has told Norris to fight fire with fire and even risk a collision with Verstappen, whom he branded a “bully”.

The seven-time grand prix winner, 49, told Instant Casino: “It is surprising that Lando just gets out of the way. Max is the bully. As a racer, it is not what you want to see but it is a smart play. Max is more used to guys like Lewis, who wouldn’t stop at taking him out.

“Max has two approaches; if he is desperate for pace, which the Red Bull has been, Max can try to run Lando over and crash and take the points away. Or if he doesn’t have the position to do that, he will just ride around and take the points. That’s all he has to do. It’ll be hard for Lando to win from here.”

Norris and Verstappen are mates away from the track. Montoya added: “When you