Norris laments Verstappen’s “crash or don’t pass” tactics in F1 Miami GP

Lando Norris believes people will complain no matter how he races, following all-out battles with Max Verstappen which may have cost him a shot at victory in the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.

Having started second, Norris dropped to sixth after being squeezed wide by polesitter Verstappen on the opening lap.

With the McLaren clearly the fastest car, Norris was able to pick his way back through the field as Piastri got past Verstappen for the lead.

Norris, however, made much more of a meal in getting past the Red Bull and had to give the position back to dodge a potential penalty the first time he made it through.

Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

He eventually took second place and closed in on Piastri but could only close to within 4.6 seconds at the end.

“What can I say? If I don't go for it, people complain. If I go for it, people complain, so you can't win,” Norris said to 2009 world champion Jenson Button in the post-race interviews, before aiming a barb at world champion Verstappen.

“But it's the way it is with Max. You know, it's crash or don't pass, and unless you get it really right and you put him in the perfect position, then you can just about get there. But I paid the price for not doing a good enough job today, but I'm so happy we're second.

“I mean, it's never the best feeling, but the team have done an amazing job, so I can't fault them at all. Good pitstops, great pace. Yeah, we were up the road, so it was a good feeling, but Oscar drove well. Max put up a good fight, as always, and I paid the price, but it's the way it is.”