Norris expected ‘little bit more’ racing top guy Bottas
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Lando Norris has had another go at Valtteri Bottas saying he expects a “little bit more” when racing one of the top guys in Formula 1.
Bottas caused a multi-car crash at the start of Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix, immediately taking two cars out of the race – himself and Sergio Perez – while McLaren were forced to retire Lando Norris’ car under the red flag due to the amount of damage it had sustained.
Bottas’ accident also damaged Max Verstappen’s car, the end result being Lewis Hamilton able to race his way onto the podium while Verstappen was a lowly P10.
Norris says he expects better from a Formula 1 race winner.
“All of us are in Formula 1 for a reason, because we’re good drivers and we know where to brake, where to judge braking zones and so on, especially when it’s wet, especially on the first lap of the race,” Norris told Motorsport.com.
“But obviously some misjudged it completely.
“That’s the annoying thing, you expect a little bit more from when you’re racing those top guys at the front of the field.
“But also they don’t race that often, they’re quite on their own, and not in the pack getting in dirty air and things as much as we are.
“So maybe they just don’t experience it, and they need to learn that a little bit more.”
Norris’ DNF brought an end to his 15-race points-scoring streak.
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He has revealed that Bottas has apologised for the crash but, as he says, that does nothing to change his reality.
“He said sorry,” Norris said. “Of course it doesn’t change anything now, which is the bad bit of it. But of course he should get a penalty.
“I got a penalty against Perez [in Austria] when a bit of air pushed him off the track, and I get completely taken out of the race, crash into Max, it’s a big incident.
“It’s a lot more dangerous than some guy going into some gravel. And of course, it’s a lot more dangerous driving doing that than what I’ve done.
“Yeah, he deserves one of course.”
The stewards announced towards the end of the grand prix that Bottas would have a five-place grid penalty for the next race, the Belgian Grand Prix.