Lando Norris Blasts Max Verstappen's "Illegal" Italian GP Move

Lando Norris Blasts Max Verstappen's "Illegal" Italian GP Move

Why it matters: Lando Norris expressed strong criticism towards Max Verstappen's controversial maneuver on the first lap of the Italian Grand Prix, leading to a heated exchange and a subsequent penalty for Verstappen.

The incident:

• Starting on the front row together, Verstappen initially pushed Norris onto the grass on the long run to Turn 1.
• Norris then fairly overtook Verstappen on the inside for the first chicane.
• However, at the apex, Verstappen cut across the run-off area, maintaining his lead.

Norris's reaction: Norris immediately took to team radio, exclaiming, "Yeah, what the f**k, what is this idiot doing? Come on, he's put me on the grass and then he's just cut the corner."

The outcome:

• Red Bull instructed Verstappen to yield the position to Norris on Lap 2, which he did on the approach to Turn 1.
• By Lap 4, Verstappen, utilizing DRS, overtook Norris at Turn 1 and built a 2.2-second lead by the end of Lap 8.

The big picture: Oscar Piastri ran third ahead of Charles Leclerc, with Lewis Hamilton up to sixth for Ferrari.

Elsewhere: Nico Hulkenberg retired his Stake car on the formation lap due to a mechanical issue, marking his first Did Not Start since the 2020 British Grand Prix when he was a COVID replacement for Sergio Perez.