Norris compares rival's shunt to playing Mario Kart

LANDO Norris has confessed to having pulled a move akin to Max Verstappen’s side-swipe on George Russell - albeit only during a game of Mario Kart.

- REPORT BY SAMUEL MEADE

The Red Bull ace found himself at the centre of enormous controversy during the dying laps of Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, culminating in him ramming into the side of his Mercedes rival.

After their encounter at turn one, Verstappen was told by his team to yield his fourth position to the British driver.

Already bothered, the Dutchman slowed down to allow Russell to bypass him, only to accelerate and slam into the Mercedes racer to maintain his place. A few corners later, Verstappen ultimately let the Brit overtake, yet he still incurred a ten-second penalty, finishing in tenth place.

Norris, alongside race victor Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, were watching the race highlights in the cool down room when they were taken aback by the collision.

Norris quipped that his similar antics were not on the F1 track but while playing the famously zany racing video game, Mario Kart.

Upon hearing this, Sky Sports co-commentator Nico Rosberg remarked, “That's the quote of the weekend”, finding humour in the situation.