MAX VERSTAPPEN raged at his Red Bull race engineer after Lando Norris nearly crashed into the back of him during the final practice session in Saudi Arabia.
The reigning world champion, 25, was on an out lap in the Middle East on Saturday afternoon as Briton Norris, 23, flew towards him in an attempt to set a fast time.
It is up to the teams race engineers to inform drivers to get out of the way for those on hot laps, particularly at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit where visibility can be tricky.
However, Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase failed to inform the Dutchman that Norris was coming.
It meant the McLaren driver was forced to swerve out of the way at the last moment to avoid ploughing into the two-time world champion.
Norris then came on his radio and said: “It’s dangerous what these guys are doing.
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“That could have been a massive crash.”
Verstappen was also quick to get onto his team and slam Lambiase for not telling him Norris was coming.
The Red Bull man simply shouted: “Mate, f***.”
Recognising his error, Lambiase replied: “Apologies.”
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Shortly after the incident, Verstappen drove alongside Norris and waved his hand in apology.
Norris accepted the gesture by waving back.
Verstappen topped the standings at the end of all three practice sessions in Saudi Arabia.
And he is primed to build on his win in the season-opener in Bahrain as he bids to extend his early lead in the drivers’ standings.
Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez finished second in the final practice session ahead of Aston Martin duo Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
Lewis Hamilton managed fifth for Mercedes, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Norris.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
