Lando Norris Drops Shocking Max Verstappen Prediction Amid F1 Race Ban Threat

Lando Norris recently surprised fans and paddock insiders with his take on Max Verstappen’s current situation ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. Verstappen is just one penalty point away from a one-race ban after a dramatic collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks ago.

The incident stemmed from Verstappen’s frustration over team radio after being told to hand the position back to Russell following a close battle earlier during the race. The race stewards handed Verstappen a three-point penalty, and he fell from fourth to tenth place by the time the checkered flag waved, thanks to a time penalty after the clash with Russell. Details on the F1 flexi wing Spanish GP shed light on the technical aspects influencing race outcomes like this.

Despite the clear risks, Norris believes Verstappen will push even harder in the upcoming races. Speaking to reporters after the Spanish Grand Prix, Norris explained that Verstappen is very likely to regret his reaction in Barcelona.

“Of course, he said he shouldn’t have done what he did,” Norris remarked, suggesting that Verstappen has some remorse but may not alter his racing style. Verstappen’s own comments back up this theory—he’s made it clear that even with a ban threat looming, he does not plan to change his aggressive approach on track.

Verstappen currently trails the championship leader by 49 points, with McLaren and Ferrari sitting strong in the teams’ standings. McLaren leads with 362 points, thanks to Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, while Ferrari is second at 165 points.

Red Bull, Verstappen’s team, has 144 points as both Verstappen and teammate Yuki Tsunoda work to close the gap. With the stakes high for both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles, Norris thinks it makes sense Verstappen would not back down, saying, “I think he’s still going to fight. He’s further behind in the points. If anything, he’s still going to fight more.”

As the Formula 1 calendar moves on to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix on June 15 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, all eyes are on whether Verstappen can stay out of trouble long enough to avoid a one-race suspension. Norris mentioned that when battling Verstappen on track, drivers cannot second-guess his intentions or expect him to make things easier because of the risk he carries.

“When you’re in the position of fighting on the track, you can’t just try and think: ‘oh, he’s going to give me more space,’” Norris said, highlighting how unpredictable racing against Verstappen might prove as long as his ban danger remains.

The Canadian Grand Prix is set to be a turning point, especially for Verstappen, who will need to race cleanly to avoid a penalty that could sideline him for a crucial event. The pressure is mounting, with Verstappen now needing to balance aggression with caution in every wheel-to-wheel fight.

Other drivers, including Norris and Russell, remain cautious but ready for fierce competition, knowing that Verstappen’s desire to regain ground in the championship is undiminished. As the weekend approaches, teams are working tirelessly to prepare for what could be one of the most intense races of the season. The ongoing McLaren F1 rule clash is another element affecting team strategies and preparations.

With the championship table tightening and Verstappen’s race ban hanging in the balance, fans can expect high drama and close racing at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.