Why the stewards decided to hit Verstappen with not one but two penalties …..read more 

Max Verstappen faced two 10-second time penalties during the Mexico City Grand Prix, significantly impacting his race and championship standing. These penalties dropped him from contention for the win and allowed Lando Norris to narrow the championship gap to 47 points with only four races remaining in the season.

The incidents that led to the penalties occurred during a heated battle between Verstappen and Norris. After Carlos Sainz reclaimed the lead from Verstappen, Norris began to apply pressure on the Dutch driver. As they approached Turn 4, Norris attempted to overtake Verstappen on the outside. However, Verstappen defended aggressively, braking late and forcing Norris to cut the corner to avoid a collision. Norris rejoined the track ahead of Verstappen, who quickly responded by attempting a move at Turn 8. Unfortunately, Verstappen overshot the corner, causing both drivers to go off track.

Norris expressed his frustration over Verstappen’s maneuvers, labeling them “dangerous” on the team radio. This prompted the stewards to investigate the incidents further. They reviewed a variety of evidence, including race footage, telemetry data, and in-car videos, before concluding that Verstappen was at fault for both actions.

The stewards determined that during the Turn 4 incident, Norris was clearly ahead at the entry and apex of the corner when Verstappen’s defensive move forced him off the track. They assessed that Norris had executed his overtaking attempt in a “safe and controlled manner” and would have completed the pass had he not been pushed off. This was seen as a breach of the International Sporting Code, specifically stating that a driver may not leave the track without justifiable reason. The standard penalty for such an infringement is a 10-second time penalty, which they applied to Verstappen.

Regarding the Turn 8 incident, the stewards found that while Verstappen was technically ahead at the apex and should have been given racing room, he ran wide and thus lost the ability to complete the pass fairly. This action incidentally forced Norris off the track as well, resulting in Verstappen retaining a position he had gained through an unfair advantage.

The decision marked a continuation of intense scrutiny over the pair’s recent racing interactions, as just one race prior, Norris had been penalized for his role in a similar incident with Verstappen at the Austin Grand Prix. This evolving rivalry has made their battles a point of focus for stewards, and the penalties serve as a reminder of the tight regulations governing on-track conduct in Formula 1.

The reactions to the penalties varied. Fans and commentators noted the controversial nature of Verstappen’s defending style, with some suggesting that it bordered on overly aggressive. Conversely, Verstappen reflected on the penalties, acknowledging the challenges he faced during the race and the implications for his championship lead. The incident underscored the high stakes of the championship battle as the season nears its conclusion, with every point becoming crucial in the fight for the title.