P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris has claimed that he “won” his battle with Max Verstappen in F1’s Austrian Grand Prix despite the collision ending with him retiring from the race.
Norris has emerged as a genuine championship challenger this season, capitalizing on McLaren‘s rise to close in on Red Bull’s Verstappen, currently 52 points behind. Despite missed opportunities to win races, such as a clash with Verstappen at the Red Bull Ring, Norris feels he successfully fought the Dutchman during wheel-to-wheel combat. However, former F1 champion Nigel Mansell disagrees, stating Norris was unwise to attempt an overtaking maneuver on the outside. Mansell believes this move in Austria cost Norris valuable points and that McLaren should not have given him priority over teammate Oscar Piastri earlier in the season. In his first championship battle, Norris acknowledges Verstappen as his toughest rival on the track, admiring his awareness and experience in title duels.
