Formula 1 drivers delved into the controversial incident involving Lando Norris and Max Verstappen during their pre-race briefing at the Mexican Grand Prix, and as expected, opinions were split.
The incident, which took place on lap 52 of the United States Grand Prix, saw Lando Norris attempting a pass on Max Verstappen by going around the outside of Turn 12. Both drivers veered off track, yet Norris completed the move. Stewards imposed a five-second penalty on Lando Norris for gaining an advantage, which ultimately relegated him to fourth place behind the Dutchman by the race’s end.
McLaren, however, has raised concerns that Max Verstappen may be pushing the limits of the rules in a calculated way. The team suspects that the Dutchman momentarily released his brakes to take the apex, securing the corner but without maintaining control.
The drivers’ briefing in Mexico became unusually lengthy, with debates intensifying over whether Norris’s penalty was justified and if current rules regarding racing conduct need to be updated.
Some of Max Verstappen’s competitors remembered a similar incident with Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix, where they believed Max Verstappen deserved a penalty, yet some of these drivers now voiced support for him. According to the Motorsport website, a number of drivers also backed Norris’s view. They agreed with Lando Norris’s immediate post-race remarks that he was in the lead when both drivers hit the braking zone at the end of the DRS straight, making Max Verstappen the driver attempting an overtake.
Others, however, defended Max Verstappen’s approach, considering his moves “tough but fair.” There’s a possibility that drivers known for their more aggressive style are inclined to side with Verstappen, particularly as McLaren has advocated for a rule revision that could prohibit certain high-risk tactics.
Amid the penalty’s backlash, the role of the stewards also came under scrutiny. McLaren CEO Zak Brown favors a return to a more traditional approach, allowing drivers to handle disputes on track with less regulation. Martin Brundle, however, has raised concerns about this approach, noting that in the 1980s drivers were responsible for maintaining their own safety amid significant crash risks. Although McLaren could have instructed Norris to relinquish the position, the pitwall held that he hadn’t done anything wrong.
The stewards, led by Derek Warwick, did not reverse their call, but the ongoing backlash has cast doubt on their initial judgment. Reports indicate that Warwick has been impacted by the week-long criticism of Norris’s penalty. Seeking greater consistency, Lewis Hamilton has called for the establishment of a permanent panel of stewards.
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