Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has stated that Max Verstappen’s aggressive driving style was not curbed earlier in Formula 1 because unpunished incidents effectively “legitimized” his behavior.
The Dutchman’s racing tactics came under scrutiny once again during the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he received two 10-second time penalties for collisions with the McLaren MCL38 Lando Norris.
The stewards’ decision to penalize Max Verstappen for his actions on Lap 10 follows criticism directed at the FIA in the United States for allowing similar incidents to go without punishment. Max Verstappen’s earlier maneuvers in Austin, where he forced Lando Norris off track without facing sanctions, led drivers to discuss the current racing guidelines while in Mexico.
The discussions resulted in a consensus among most drivers that regulatory changes are necessary, prompting the FIA to prepare a revised rulebook for release in the coming days.
Toto Wolff anticipates that these forthcoming updates will significantly alter the way drivers compete, especially in light of the thee-time Formula 1 world champion’s assertion that he intends to adjust his driving in accordance with the outlined rules.
“A driver will always push to the limit. When the rules, or the execution of the rules, or the interpretation of the rules, allow a certain way of racing, a driver like Max is always going to exploit it. I think now, there has been a new interpretation and execution of those regulations and I think it will change the way everybody races in the future. You won’t see that anymore.” – the Austrian billionaire motorsport executive, investor and former racing driver explained at the end of the Mexican Grand Prix, which was held last Sunday at the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.
Verstappen’s Unpunished Incidents Fostered His Aggressive Style
Toto Wolff observed Max Verstappen’s bold racing tactics during intense wheel-to-wheel duels, particularly during the 2021 title fight against Mercedes. The Austrian team principal believes that the lack of penalties for the Red Bull driver’s numerous confrontations with Lewis Hamilton that season contributed to the Dutch driver’s unwillingness to change his approach on the track.
“I always say that the drivers or people that have driven in racing cars, they know exactly, and many of you who are experts know exactly what’s happening. You know when somebody is releasing the brake too late and just drags you to the corner, pushes you wide. From the early days in go-karting, you know that you’re not going to survive on the outside if you’re not ahead. So, I think the rules are pretty clear and the drivers know, but, as I said before, the rule is everybody is trying to push them and if you get away with things, that is the new limit. So will it change? Absolutely. I think now there is precedent.” – Toto Wolff pointed out in an interview after the Mexican weekend.
“I believe that you probably got to, from now on, you got to leave space on the outside of the corner if the car is next to you. On the same height and braking late and dragging the other car out of the track whilst also driving off-track, I think that’s not allowed anymore. I think it’s good for racing.” – the Mercedes team principal concluded.
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