The Mexican Grand Prix was one of the season’s most exciting races. Although Carlos Sainz took a straight victory, a complete mess was behind him. From crashes to penalties, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez witnessed everything. Moreover, the top two contenders for the Drivers Cup– Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, yet again locked horns.
The Dutchman tried to replay his defensive tactics to avoid a divebomb from Norris. However, the RBR triple champion faced FIA’s scrutiny this time as the race steward handed him a couple of penalties. The time lag sent him to the sixth spot while his arch-rival bagged a second-place finish. After Austin GP’s shenanigans, this face-off has again ignited a fresh debate.
McLaren And Red Bull Boss Clash Over Max Verstappen’s Penalties
Max Verstappen found himself at the center of controversy early in the race during the Mexican Grand Prix. In a series of incidents, he first pushed Lando Norris off the track and then went off himself, taking Norris along with him. As a result, Verstappen received two 10-second penalties, which left him finishing in sixth place, while Norris secured a second-place finish. In the aftermath, McLaren’s team principal, Zak Brown, expressed his dissatisfaction with the penalties, believing they should have been more severe. He described the situation as becoming “ridiculous” and emphasized the need for cleaner racing. Brown commended the FIA stewards for their efforts but felt that the current penalties were not enough to address the incidents adequately.
Conversely, Christian Horner disagreed with Brown’s assessment. He believed the penalties imposed on Verstappen were somewhat harsh. Horner noted that while Verstappen did leave the track at certain turns, the circumstances of the incidents were complex, with Norris making late moves that contributed to the situation. He suggested that there needs to be a clearer understanding between the FIA and the drivers regarding what constitutes acceptable racing behavior.
Horner acknowledged the need to improve their car’s pace, highlighting that the team’s performance was a more pressing issue than the penalties themselves. Brown and Horner’s differing views reflect the ongoing tension and debate surrounding racing conduct and penalties in Formula 1.
Lando Norris Slams Max Verstappen’s Defensive Tactics
Following the recent race, Lando Norris reflected on his experience with Max Verstappen on the track. He acknowledged his respect for Verstappen as a driver but admitted he was somewhat prepared for the possibility of aggressive driving tactics from him. Norris expressed his belief that Verstappen’s maneuvers were not particularly clean but managed to navigate the situation effectively, ultimately considering it a good race for himself.
Norris emphasized his commitment to maintaining focus and working hard as a team. He noted that they performed exceptionally well during the race, suggesting that they might have had the fastest pace towards the end. His determination to keep pushing forward highlights the collective effort and resilience of the team as they strive for continued success in the championship.