Three-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is known for his aggressive driving during racing. But he is also very clever during the races as he tricked his rival competitor Lando Norris into falling into his trap and getting a time penalty.
All this time Max Verstappen knew what he was doing exactly and everything went according to his plan at the United States Grand Prix. Lando Norris thinking of overtaking Max Verstappen fell into his trap which the reigning world champion laid for him at the corner.
Breaking Max Verstappen’s Clever Tactics at COTA
This sums up what I’ve said a bunch
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In turn 12, Lando Norris launched an aggressive attack over Max Verstappen as both drivers went wide off the track. Norris from the outside of the track launched again and moved ahead of Max Verstappen while returning to the track limits.
McLaren thought they were first to the Apex and they thought FIA wouldn't serve any penalty for them as both the drivers went off the track while racing each other. But Max Verstappen knew he was ahead of Norris at the Apex and the Briton should anyway give away his position back to him.
Lando Norris didn't know about all this as everything was happening very quickly around him and the McLaren team didn't advise Norris to give back the P3 position to Verstappen. In the end, the stewards ruled in favour of Max Verstappen and he got his podium back. From a technical point of view, a person first reaching the Apex is naturally the leader of that corner. Max Verstappen knew this clearly and he cleverly braked and tricked Lando Norris to gain the advantage and get a penalty.
Also Read: Why did Lando Norris get Penalized at US GP? - Explaining the 'White Line' rule in F1
McLaren had the fastest car in the grid and they could have told Lando Norris to give back the position to Verstappen and again attack him using DRS in the next corner or the next lap. They could have easily passed the Red Bull car. But the McLaren team didn't tell Lando Norris and he finally ended up losing to Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull driver has now extended his championship lead over Lando Norris to 57 points which was 52 points before the US GP and hereafter there needs to be some miracle happen to Lando Norris to surpass Max Verstappen for this year's drivers championship and only 5 races are remaining in the calendar.