Lando Norris insists Max Verstappen is the one who must ‘change’ his style of racing after the recent shunts between the two championship contenders.
The F1 2024 season started off in the same vein as the previous two with Verstappen out in front of the rest of the field by a huge margin.
But Norris has led the charge from the chasing pack in closing that gap and is edging ever closer as the season draws to a close.
There are now just 47 points between them with four more Grands Prix as well as two more Sprints.
Verstappen and Norris have maintained a close friendship throughout their time in F1, but that bond has been tested in recent weeks due to several incidents.
Norris was penalised at the United States Grand Prix for overtaking Verstappen off the track as the Dutchman refused to leave any space.
And the three-time world champion was heavily punished by the FIA for twice forcing Norris off last week in Mexico.
The previous race saw Verstappen attract plenty of criticism with Martin Brundle claiming the Red Bull star is ‘tainting his legacy’.
And Norris has challenged his championship rival to adopt a different style of racing ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
“It’s what I said going into Mexico, I want clean, fair racing,” Norris told Sky Sports F1.
“And that’s what I do, that’s what I provide and that’s how I race.
“That’s how I’ve always raced in my career. It’s not for me to change, it’s for the other side to change.”
Norris’ plea looks set to be unanswered though with Verstappen insisting he doesn’t feel the need to change.
When told of Damon Hill’s assertion that he is incapable of racing fairly, Verstappen bit back: “I don’t listen to those individuals. I just do my own thing.
“I’m a three-time world champion. I think I know what I’m doing.
“Honestly like, I have my opinions. I don’t need to share them.”
Norris might hold an advantage this week in Brazil too as Verstappen will take a five-place grid penalty for taking a new engine.
The penalty will also be a blow to Red Bull for their Constructors’ Championship hopes as they dropped down to third last week.
