Lando Norris and Max Verstappen‘s Austrian GP battle has infused new life into F1, but not one that you’d want to live every weekend. The McLaren driver’s radio messages for the stewards to penalize Verstappen, and his spicy post-race comments showed a crack in their bromance. The duo, who usually take the same jet after a race weekend, went separately. Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko has now stepped into this conversation and shifted the blame onto Norris for this fiasco.

During their tense battle for the race lead, Norris attempted many overambitious overtakes, which Verstappen labeled “late divebombs”. The 24-year-old even violated track limits several times to stay within the DRS range of his rival’s RB20, getting a 5-second penalty. Yet, he kept complaining about the Dutchman’s illegal weaving under braking, urging the stewards to penalize him. After his DNF, Norris also claimed he’d been “taken out” of the race by Verstappen.

These comments haven’t gone down well with Helmut Marko and he’s hit back at the McLaren driver. “Norris’ behavior on the radio was pathetic,” the 81-year-old told OE24. “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,” he emphasized.

Post-race, Norris even demanded an apology from Verstappen, saying how he’d “lose respect” for his friend if he didn’t make one. Marko responded to these comments as well. “Norris’ comments that Max should apologize are not very helpful,” he disapprovingly said. “But they will meet to talk things out,” he added, to calm the fans of the duo’s bromantic relationship.

After the Austrian GP, the world accused Verstappen of succumbing to the pressure and resorting to cheap tactics. However, Norris’ first brush with the reigning world champion in an actual battle for P1 also showed his lack of patience. But all this will be a thing of the past very quickly, as Marko makes a promise for the upcoming race.

Helmut Marko promises to “hit back” at McLaren at the British GP

There are many storylines going into the British GP. All three home heroes – Lando Norris, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton, have a point to prove. The McLaren ace wants to rightfully get back at Max Verstappen, the younger Briton in Mercedes wants to replicate his Austrian GP victory at Silverstone, and the 7-time champion wants to continue his 12-year podium streak on home soil.

Countering the ambitions of these three is one man – the reigning world champion. Losing Red Bull‘s home two days ago is enough motivation for him to seek revenge. Helmut Marko has also revealed that the Milton Keynes outfit is setting the Dutchman up for success with new upgrades. “We’ll hit back, we’ll bring an upgrade,” he told Oe24. “I also always say: Our goal is the world championship title, and the Austrian GP helped us to achieve that.”

In 2023, Verstappen won the British GP with a small 3.8-second margin to Norris and took the extra fastest lap point as well. Even after a year, the pecking order looks similar. If another reckless battle follows, the 3-time champion could be in trouble with the British crowd turning hostile towards him. But if Hamilton wins in this hypothetical situation, the Britons might end up thanking Verstappen for resurrecting their hero.