Verstappen was made “an example” of in Mexico

(Motorsport-Total.com) – Now the kid gloves have finally come off in the World Cup duel between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris: “This guy is dangerous,” says the McLaren driver after the world champion beats him on lap ten of the Mexican Grand Prix pushed off the track twice and was handed two 10-second penalties by the stewards.

“I think the punishment was very harsh. I think it’s a reaction to all the incidents that took place in Austin,” explains Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko after the race ORFalthough he admits: “Penalty was probably justified to a certain extent, but twice ten seconds was certainly the maximum, or more than the maximum, that was necessary.”

Ex-Formula 1 driver and TV expert Alex Wurz finds Verstappen’s second action too harsh and sees the penalty for it as justified, but according to Wurz, five seconds would have been enough for the first action in turn four: “Am “I totally agree with you,” Marko agrees with his compatriot’s analysis and explains: “15 seconds would have been enough.”

Apparently not the stewards. Marko doesn’t want to go that far as to whether the rule enforcers were influenced by the many criticisms of their decisions in Austin, especially by the British press, which is naturally closer to Norris: “I wouldn’t blame it on the British press, but rather to all the comments and discussions that there were. Max has the image, or he is a tough driver, and I think they wanted to set a certain example.”

Brown: “It’s getting a little ridiculous”

That’s a good thing, says McLaren boss Zak Brown. After the race in Mexico, the American is once again not at a loss for a clear opinion: “I mean, it’s getting a bit ridiculous, so applause for the FIA ​​commissioners, enough is enough,” he says, referring to Verstappen’s actions Skyand expresses a pious wish for the end of the season: “We should just have good, clean racing from now on.”

Brown doesn’t think it’s necessary for McLaren to interfere further in the matter at the moment: “It’s the stewards’ turn, I think that’s clear from the penalties that have been handed out. I don’t think we have to do anything else, we just should Let them do their job,” says the McLaren boss, and praises: “They did a good job this weekend.”

Ex-Formula 1 driver also agrees with this opinion Sky-Expert Martin Brundle, because he can’t do much with Verstappen’s performance on Sunday. The Dutchman “simply saw red” in turn seven, actually a pretty silly moment, says Brundle: “He drove them both off the track and was lucky that he didn’t get a drive-through penalty or anything like that.”

Brundle criticizes Verstappen: “He’s better than that”

Although Brundle could have imagined a higher sentence, he clarifies: “I’m so in awe of Max, and I hate it when he does things like that. He’s better than that. He’s too good.” A criticism that should be leveled at the world champion, whose image on the island has not been the best anyway, at least since his rough behavior in the 2021 World Cup duel with Lewis Hamilton.

According to Brundle, a new element is currently being added: “I think he’s frustrated because he only has the third best car at the moment. We know that he’s spirited and aggressive – and that’s what you want, we agree “Yes, agreed – but there is a limit. And this second incident was over the limit,” says Brundle, who warns: “If he continues to receive penalties, he will have to rein it in.”

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner also emphasized after the finish in Mexico: “You always have to stick to the rules, and we will watch the race and learn from it.” After all, compared to Norris on Sunday, Verstappen lost ten valuable championship points due to the penalties, which could end up being expensive for the Dutchman in the championship fight…

Horner: “At what point is a dive bomb okay?”

Alone: ​​Looking at the duel on the track, Horner naturally doesn’t see things in Mexico as clearly as Brown or Brundle: “Max didn’t leave the track in turn four. And in turn seven, Lando opened the door very late “Then they both went out,” says the Brit, who therefore sees it as more of a fundamental discussion.

“The problem is, I think we’re getting into very dangerous territory with this: At what point is a dive bomb still okay?” asks the Red Bull team boss, and suggests: “So I think the FIA ​​and the drivers have to to really sit down and decide what is acceptable and what is not.”

However, if McLaren counterpart Andrea Stella has her way, the FIA ​​has long since done this and followed up with the corresponding actions with its verdict in Mexico: “To me, these penalties looked correct. The stewards interpreted this race situation correctly and applied the penalties.” , comments the Italian Sky.

“There is security when you know that you can drive hard, but you will be punished if you go beyond the limits. It gives us security,” says Stella: “All drivers and competitors are shown that there are limits and There are limits that have to be respected. That makes the race easier and was an important point today.”