By james art Verstappen extended his title lead over the Briton to 57 points after Norris was handed a controversial five-second penalty in Austin last weekend for leaving the track and gaining advantage while passing the Dutchman.
It was judged that Norris was behind at the top and therefore “lost the right” of the corner. McLaren disputed this penalty, arguing that Verstappen had also run off the track and pushed his title challenger.
But while he believes the wrong decision was made, Norris admits the three-time world champion is riding in a way he may need to learn from if he is to win his first title.
“I’m learning from Max and Max is probably the best in the world at doing it, reaching the limits and understanding it,” Norris said ahead of this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
“Probably 99 percent of the time, I think he’s at the limit of where he can be, and he’s right. He is the standard of what every driver should be.
“But in this case I think it was wrong and the majority of people agree with that.”
“I don’t think it’s the right way to drive, I don’t think it’s the fair way to drive. Because if I go into a corner and don’t brake and overtake the entire grid and go off the track, I can’t just claim I was ahead at the top.
“So it’s kind of silly. I think there has to be an element of competitive knowledge and mentality involved.”
Red Bull’s Verstappen looked set to cruise to his fourth consecutive world title when he won four of the first five races of the season, but after taking his first race win in Miami in May, Norris continued to challenge for the title.
He admitted losing positions last weekend was a “momentum killer”, leaving him 57 points adrift with five races remaining and 146 points to fight for.
Norris admits some of Verstappen’s driving goes against his instincts but believes he is discovering what it takes to compete at the top during his first title attempt.
“Verstappen’s driving is definitely not the way I grew up,” added Norris.
“That doesn’t mean it’s wrong or right. That’s his way, and it’s probably the right way when you’re fighting at the top.
“That’s why it’s still a learning curve for me.
“Max made a lot of mistakes when he was in his first few years of fighting at the top.
“There are definitely certain things that he does to a title challenger differently than he would do initially.
“Max is racing the way he’s supposed to be racing and obviously he’s right. It’s up to me to learn how to ride around what he’s doing.
Verstappen has won five of the last six races in Mexico, setting Norris up for a tough task at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez this weekend.
The 24-year-old knows he needs some fortune if he is to close the gap on Verstappen.
“I need some luck. This is obvious. I still think it’s possible, but it’s hard,” Norris said.
“Everyone thought we were dominant, but we’re clearly not. We are behind Ferrari.
“Now it’s harder to do and harder to win, but at the same time there’s still a chance. I will keep trying until this chance is gone.”