Mexico City, Mexico – After an intense showdown with Lando Norris at the Mexico Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has opened up about the penalties he received during the race and discussed what he believes is the “biggest problem” in Formula 1 today.
The incident with Norris unfolded on Lap 28, where Verstappen, vying for position, was penalized after stewards ruled his move on Norris as overly aggressive, violating the racing conduct guidelines. This penalty impacted Verstappen’s track position and ultimately influenced his race strategy. Verstappen finished the race outside of his usual podium position, with many pointing to the penalties as a turning point in his performance.
Reflecting on the situation, Verstappen expressed his frustration with the enforcement of track limits and the consistency of penalties across the grid. “I’m all for fair racing, but the biggest problem we’re facing is the inconsistency,” he stated. “What’s considered acceptable varies not only from one race to another but even within the same event, and that’s difficult to work around.”
He went on to note how these decisions impact drivers’ confidence to make bold moves on the track, adding that Formula 1 should consider a clearer and more consistent rule set for racing incidents. Verstappen’s comments have reignited the ongoing conversation around F1’s handling of penalties, with fans and drivers divided on how racing guidelines are enforced.
In response, FIA officials have acknowledged the feedback and are expected to review Verstappen’s comments ahead of the next Grand Prix, with many eagerly awaiting any potential changes to race incident guidelines in response to the concerns raised by one of F1’s top competitors.
