Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc’s cool down room response to Max Verstappen penalties

Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc both kept tight-lipped at Max Verstappen’s ‘unfair’ driving in the cool down room at the Mexico GP.

The McLaren star – who secured second place in Mexico City – was involved in two incidents with the reigning Formula 1 champion. Verstappen was adjudged to have forced Norris off the track at Turn 4 as the latter attempted an overtake, earning him a 10-second penalty.

He handed the position back, only to be forced off of the track once again by Verstappen. And both Norris and Leclerc had telling reactions to the incidents after the race.

Norris let out a wry smile and a quiet chuckle to himself when watching the footage and then looked at the Ferrari driver, with both staying silent. It was a marked difference from the former’s reaction mid-race.

After the incidents, Norris slammed Verstappen’s driving style. He said: “This guy is dangerous. It is the same as last time, mate. I will end up in a wall in a minute.”

Meanwhile, Norris also claimed that the Dutchman was deserving of his two penalties in his post-race assessment. As quoted by RacingNews365, he said: “I did everything I’ve been told in terms of what the rules are, the guidelines and all of this stuff, yet it just wasn’t to be. And, of course, he got some penalties for that.

“I go into every race expecting a tough battle with Max. It’s clear that it doesn’t matter if he wins or is second, his only job is to beat me in the race. And he’ll sacrifice himself to do that, like he did [in Mexico].

“But I want to have good battles with him. I want to have those tough battles like I’ve seen him have plenty of times. But fair ones.

“It’s always going to be on the line. It’s always going to be tough with Max. He’s never going to make anyone’s life easy, especially mine, at this point of the year. It was not fair, clean racing, and therefore, I think he got what he had coming to him.”

Meanwhile, Verstappen had some intriguing reactions when learning about his penalties. He initially said: “That is fine, then,” before adding: “That is so silly, man.”