"Lando Norris' behavior on the radio was pathetic": Helmut Marko slams McLaren driver's actions in clash with Max Verstappen in Austria 

Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has slammed Lando Norris, saying his behavior on team radio during his battle with Max Verstappen in Austria was 'pathetic'. Norris was involved in a heated battle with Verstappen during the F1 Austrian GP.

The two drivers have been competing for top honors over the last few races, and Austria was no different. Max Verstappen's botched second pitstop, coupled with his lock-up on the first lap out of the pits, saw the two drivers once again battle for the lead.

Lando Norris had a fresh medium tire and the benefit of DRS while Max was trying everything to fend him off. The manoeuvres between the two became more and more aggressive, and it culminated in their collision. Max Verstappen then pitted for new tires and scampered home in a P5, while Lando Norris suffered a DNF.

Talking to OE24, Helmut Marko criticized Lando Norris' words on team radio, as the McLaren driver complained multiple times about Max Verstappen's defending antics. The Austrian added that Lando's comments about Max needing to apologize were not helpful, but claimed the two would meet to talk things out. He said:

"Norris's behavior on the radio was pathetic. But things like that happen and I would write it off as a racing accident, although Norris was more likely to have overstepped the mark. Norris' comments that Max should apologize are not very helpful. But they will meet to talk things out."

Helmut Marko also revealed that the two drivers, who tend to travel together to races, took different flights this time. He added:

"No, they usually fly together, but this time they were travelling separately. So Max had a quiet return flight."

Helmut Marko on what led to the battle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were separated by seven seconds when both pitted for fresh tires. Lando got a new medium compared to the used medium tires for Max, which gave the McLaren driver the advantage. The other factor that played a role was Red Bull's botched pitstop.

Talking to OE24, when questioned about what led to the battle between the two drivers, Marko pointed to the botched pitstop and said:

"It started with the botched pit stop, then Max suddenly had no grip with the new set of tires. And suddenly Norris was in the DRS area"

Explaining what happened, he added:

"A nut was jammed - but that can happen. We made over 50 pit stops in the two-second range, some of which decided between victory and defeat. So I'm not blaming anyone now, it's a quick thing to put aside."

It remains to be seen how the dynamics between the two drivers change, especially since F1 heads to Lando's home race in Silverstone.