Verstappen says Norris cost him chance of Mexico City pole

Max Verstappen said Lando Norris cost him a chance of pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix by getting in his way during the final part of qualifying. The Red Bull driver will start further back than his qualifying position after a one-place grid penalty from Friday’s practice incident with Liam Lawson.

Speaking to Viaplay after qualifying, Verstappen said Norris had finished his fast lap and was slowing down when he appeared ahead of him. “He parked on the right, exactly where I wanted to pull out for the hairpin. That took me off the ideal line and I lost speed. A shame, because pole was there,” Verstappen said, in translation.

He added that, even if he had taken pole, the penalty meant he would have started second. Verstappen said the car had been “a lot better” than in practice, which he described as very poor.

The one-place penalty followed a clash between Verstappen and Lawson in Friday’s second practice session. The stewards said both drivers had described their actions as “unnecessary and clumsy”.