The verdict is in, condemning Max Verstappen. A fair verdict in substance, but disproportionate in form. By inflicting a 10-second penalty on him twice, the panel of commissioners (led by Johnny Herbert in Mexico) knew that they were giving the Dutchman no chance of coming back. His race then transformed into a hot pursuit for a few more points. There was a fault, and there should have been a sanction, except that the lawyers had a very heavy hand. Too heavy?
So what happened in this fateful 10th lap for the Red Bull driver to take so much? Lando Norris attempted a maneuver from the outside at Turn 4 after closing in with the help of his DRS, and the two men found themselves side by side at the apex. The stewards judged that the Dutchman, inside the trajectory, had dragged Norris off the track. This first incident triggered a second, at turn 7, where Norris, who was now in the lead, was pushed off the track by Verstappen. In other times, the three-time world champion would have received two 5-second penalties which seemed to be the maximum sanctions – and already very penalizing – for this type of maneuver, except that the Austin Grand Prix was still in all memories. Especially those of the commissioners considered too lax in Texas.
A week after he escaped
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