Norris slams Bottas for ‘trying to be a hero’ after Lap 1 Hungarian GP F1 crash

Bottas hit the back of Norris’ McLaren on the run to Turn 1 on Lap 1 at the Hungaroring, sending Norris flying into the Red Bull duo of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen.

Bottas, Perez and Norris were all forced to retire from the race, while Verstappen continued with considerable damage.

Norris’ retirement on the opening lap meant his 15-race scoring streak had come to an end.

“Of course I’m angry because I was in third place,” Norris said. “I had a very good start and on lap one, it is game over already. There are four or five people here [in the media pen] because some people try way too hard. They think they can be a hero, and out-brake themselves and it ruins everyone’s race. It was not a long race for me.

“Everyone knows that it is slippery, it is wet. Everyone makes mistakes at some point, and sometimes it is on lap one, but it is also lap one. It is a long race. Bottas has a much quicker car, and he would’ve passed me at some point in the race. I don’t know what goes through their minds sometimes to try and do things like that.”

Norris made a great start from sixth on the grid and moved up to third - labelling it one of the best starts he’s made in his F1 career.

“When I got hit, it was a contrast of emotions,” Norris added. “It is probably one of the best starts I have done, into third place, such a small touch in a braking zone can have a big effect. Just because you are braking so on the limit, the grip is so low, so one small increase of speed and everything is gone.

“Bottas way out-braked himself and hit me, and then I was a passenger all the way into max. It sucks but there’s nothing I can do. My job was very good, a very good start, and I did everything I needed to do, but through no fault of my own I am here talking to you.”

He confirmed that Bottas had apologised for causing the incident.

“There is not much to say, is there? It was not my fault,” Norris explained. “He just came over to me and apologized. Apologies are nice but it does not change the result. It is lap one of the race, and no one has to do anything stupid but that is what they did today.”