It was an improvised and unusual press conference that Christian Horner held in front of journalists last night in Mexico.
The boss of Milton Keynes has arrived with… Lando Norris’s telemetry! The goal was to prove that the penalties imposed on Max Verstappen were far too severe (twice 10 seconds). In any case, especially for the first one.
Christian Horner first mentioned the first incident, that of turn 4. Norris tried to overtake Verstappen on the outside, even if it meant being pushed off the track by the Red Bull driver.
The previous week in Austin, Lando Norris was also penalized five seconds for overtaking Max Verstappen. But there was a big difference: this time Lando Norris was level with Max Verstappen at the apex (a decisive advantage in determining which driver was at fault or not).
Except that… according to Christian Horner, Lando Norris threw himself with all his strength at the apex, to be precisely in front of Max Verstappen at the apex of turn 4. The proof, according to Horner? The McLaren F1 driver would have arrived much faster on the 10th lap than during his other passes around the same corner. 15 km/h faster, even, according to the telemetry shown by Horner.
So according to him, Norris had only managed to be in front, at the apex, by entering the bend at such a high speed that he couldn’t take it anyway.
“It was very harsh to give two 10-second penalties,” Horner said.
“I think there is something more fundamental. »
“There was a reaction last weekend, and I think it’s very important that the marshals and the drivers sit down together, because if I show you here on the GPS [la vitesse de Norris vers le virage 4]what you can see, with that orange line, is Lando’s fastest lap in the Grand Prix in that turn 4.”
“What you can see is that on the lap of the incident with Max, he is 15 km/h faster and braking later than on his best lap during the Grand Prix. »
“He would not have managed to take the turn (during the incident with Max, editor’s note). He would have gone off the track. You can see it in its onboard steering maneuvers. »
“And of course, at this point in the race (compared to his best lap, editor’s note), he probably has 80 kg more fuel compared to his best lap. »
Christian Horner (like Romain Grosjean on Canal + initially) also criticized too risky a maneuver by Lando Norris on the outside.
F1 guidelines currently recognize that “overtaking on the outside is always perceived as a more difficult maneuver” and set out three conditions that a pilot must meet to obtain space:
— Have the front axle at least aligned with that of the other car at the apex and until the exit of the turn,
— Carry out the maneuver in a safe and controlled manner (entry, rope point and exit),
— Being able to take the turn while remaining within the limits of the track,
Horner contends that Norris failed to comply with these conditions. However, if the FIA agrees with the driver being outside, “We risk overturning the laws of overtaking, where drivers will just try to get the nose of their car in front at the apex and then demand space on the exit” avertit Christian Horner.
The FIA must act and react according to Christian Horner
For the Milton Keynes boss, the ball is now in the FIA’s court. He waits for her “clarifies (the situation) so that everyone knows what is acceptable, otherwise we will end up in a mess at the next races. »
“It’s clear that Lando took his foot off the brakes and got involved very, very late to try to take advantage of the way these rules are written, and at that point we’re penalized,” Horner explained.
Ironically, this was essentially the same justification for which Verstappen had avoided a penalty a week before. He braked late on the inside to lead at the apex, which allowed him to push Norris to the exit.
But Christian Horner does not think this parallel is justified!
“It’s slightly different,” Horner said. “Because obviously both of them went off the track last week, and you can’t get an advantage by overtaking off the track. »
“This time it’s different, because Max didn’t go off the track. »
“This is something that really needs to be clarified for the future. »
“There are some great races, and it’s just important that the rules of engagement are fair, rather than giving an advantage to the outside line. »
“In the history of motorsport, being outside has always been the riskiest place. »
“Now it’s almost an advantage because all you have to do is have your nose forward at the point where they’re turning, it doesn’t matter if you’re going to take the turn or not. »
Red Bull will not challenge first penalty on appeal
However, unlike McLaren F1 in Austin, Christian Horner will not appeal this first penalty.
“We will not activate a right of review on this point,” Horner said. “I think the most important thing is how to move forward for the races, because I’m not sure that is clear to the drivers. »
Horner less in support of Verstappen on turn 7
Now let’s talk about the second incident, that of turn 7.
Max Verstappen earned his second 10-second penalty, for a risky attack on Norris a few corners after the first incident – only to recover his position by going off-track.
This time it is ” different “ according to Christian Horner. His driver deserved a penalty according to him. A rare admission from the boss of Milton Keynes!
“I think the incident at Turn 7 is different. I think Max expected Lando to give the place back,” Horner said.
“He obviously went inside and they both veered off course. »
“In theory, I can understand that by actually forcing the car out, there would be a penalty for that. »
“But I think it was the frustration of maybe Lando not giving the place back from this incident here. »
For Christian Horner, the spectators must have a migraine and can no longer understand anything. We need simpler and more easily applicable rules…
“These things, they only intensify. I just think maybe we’re overcomplicating things. And when you have to refer to an instruction manual for an overtake… I mean, the principles of racing for years have been that if you have the inside line, you dictate the turn. »
“And I think the way the regulations or guidelines have evolved encourages a rider to have his nose forward at the apex, regardless of whether he’s going to make the turn or not. »
“It’s frustrating to have to consult a rule every time you pass or defend,” Horner said.
“All these guys grew up racing a lot and understand the fundamentals. »
“It’s just important that we don’t over-regulate to the point of encouraging behavior that doesn’t align with the guidelines and principles of motor racing. »
