Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen gives Norris a chin-up advice in the wake of costly DNF

13:09, 01 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

Lando Norris' DNF has deep championship ramifications, of course, and a man who is no stranger to championship bid setbacks, Max Verstappen, has issued a few words of advice for the McLaren driver.

In 2021 Verstappen was on the receiving end of some potential title-derailing incidents, like Silverstone, Baku, Monza, and the penalty he received after the Italian Grand Prix for the Russian Grand Prix.

In 2022, following Ferrari's strong start to the season, Verstappen registered a DNF in Australia, which he believed at the time to be a death blow to his title aspirations.

After a record-breaking 2023, the Dutchman once again had to face minor setbacks, as McLaren overturned Red Bull's technical advantage and soared to win the Constructor's championship, with Norris even making lukewarm attempts to wrestle the Drivers' from Verstappen's ultimately firm grasp.

Verstappen issues words of wisdom and caution for Norris

Speaking after the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen gave his judgment on Norris' retirement, and gave the Brit a few words of advice, but also shed light on a key factor that the Dutchman himself has never had to deal with.

"I mean, it’s out of your control. So, you just need to keep working hard, keep trying to win. As simple as that.

"Especially when you are team-mates, you have the same car, same opportunities. It’s probably a little bit more complicated than when it’s two different teams.

"But still a lot of races and you can see things can swing. Like Oscar said, you don’t know if you get a mechanical failure or not, it’s out of your control.

"So yes, it’s not ideal, but there are enough races to either turn it around or not, and time will tell," concluded Verstappen.