Jos Verstappen: Lando Norris 'Forgot to Brake' in Las Vegas Lunge

Jos Verstappen claims Lando Norris was overly focused on Max Verstappen during an "aggressive" move at the start of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, leading Norris to 'forget to brake' and nearly causing a major collision. This incident has sparked debate on aggressive driving, particularly given previous comments by McLaren CEO Zak Brown about Max's style.

Why it matters:

The start of a Grand Prix is often the most chaotic and critical moment, setting the tone for the entire race. An aggressive move, especially one that nearly takes out two front-running cars, highlights the fine line between bold racing and dangerous driving. Jos Verstappen's strong words not only defend his son but also put McLaren and Norris under scrutiny, especially as the championship battle heats up.

The Details:

• Aggressive Opening Move: At the first corner of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lando Norris, starting from pole, made an "aggressive" lunge across the track to block Max Verstappen.
• Near Collision: Jos Verstappen stated that the move was "too aggressive" and that it was a "close call" that could have resulted in both cars being out of the race.
• Norris's Focus: According to Jos, Norris was solely focused on Max, causing him to "simply forget to brake for the first corner." He contrasted this with Max, who "braked at least five metres earlier."
• Hypocrisy Allegation: Jos Verstappen drew attention to McLaren CEO Zak Brown's past criticisms of Max's aggressive driving style, suggesting Brown now needs to address his own driver.

The big picture:

This incident adds another layer of tension to an already thrilling F1 season, particularly with the championship fight still on. While Max Verstappen has secured the driver's title, the competitive dynamic between McLaren and Red Bull remains intense. Jos Verstappen's comments suggest a strategic attempt to shift pressure onto McLaren as the season concludes.

What's next:

As the F1 season heads into its final two rounds, including the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, the pressure on McLaren and Norris is expected to intensify.

• Jos Verstappen believes "the pressure is on at McLaren now, and they'll feel it." He also pointed out the internal dynamic between Norris and Oscar Piastri, hinting at potential team tensions.
• He anticipates a "very exciting finale to the season," with Max Verstappen having "nothing to lose" and able to go "all out on the attack."
• The Qatar Grand Prix will feature the final sprint race of the year, adding another high-stakes element to the penultimate weekend.

The implications of such aggressive maneuvers and the ensuing war of words could influence future race steward decisions and driver conduct as the fight for constructor and individual race wins continues.