P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen went wheel-to-wheel with Lando Norris for victory at the Italian Grand Prix, with the latter having an advantage, according to the McLaren driver.
Lando Norris emphasized that Max Verstappen can display more aggression in wheel-to-wheel battles since he is not in the running for the F1 title. During the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen fought Norris from the outset, with the clash initiating at the race’s opening corner. Despite being directed by his team to relinquish position to Norris to avoid a time penalty for missing Turn 1, Verstappen successfully reattacked the McLaren driver and seized the lead. Norris, presently trailing team-mate and title contender Oscar Piastri by 31 points, described the duel as “nerve-rackingly close”. He acknowledged the necessity to exercise caution unlike Verstappen, or else, face the disintegration of his championship aspirations. Norris finished the race in second place, over 19 seconds behind Verstappen, marking the largest winning margin of the season thus far. McLaren’s defeat by Verstappen’s Red Bull at the Italian Grand Prix was only their fourth loss in 16 races this year. Norris expressed his desire for the battle to have lasted longer and revealed disappointment over McLaren’s lack of pace, hoping for a stronger contention for victory.
