Метка: Max Verstappen

Verstappen admits he reconsidered his future at Red Bull during 2024

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Max Verstappen has admitted he came close to quitting Red Bull during his turbulent title-winning season in Formula 1 this year.

Verstappen sealed his fourth world title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after he finished ahead of Lando Norris to extinguish the McLaren man’s faint championship hopes for good.

OPINION: Why Verstappen’s 2024 title success is his greatest yet

But Verstappen’s success has come against a political backdrop that led him to reconsider his place with the Milton Keynes squad.

The 27-year-old was caught up in an internal investigation into team principal Christian Horner at the turn of the year, with his father Jos Verstappen embroiled in the bitter battle, a situation the younger Verstappen labelled as “messy”.

Consequently, the Dutchman was openly courted by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who made no secret of the fact he wanted the Red Bull driver to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.

Questions were raised whether Verstappen would quit the team and force through a move to the Silver Arrows.

And, while Verstappen admitted he did think about his options, he has now pledged his future to Red Bull, saying he is “loyal to the team”.

When asked by Autosport if there was any moment he considered leaving Red Bull for Mercedes, or indeed quitting altogether, he said: “I think in your life, every year there are always thoughts going through your head from, ‘how long do I still want to do this? Where do I want to do this? How do I want to do this?’

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

“There are things in your private life that happen, of course. In your racing life, there are always things that you have to deal with and think about.

“But that’s fine. I think in general I’m quite relaxed about these things because it’s very important to split your private life and racing life.

“But it’s fine to have these thoughts in your head about what you want to do.

“But at the same time, I’m also not someone that makes very drastic decisions. And I’m just very happy where I’m at the moment.

“I’m very loyal to the team. I appreciate, of course, what they have done for me from picking me up out of F3 and giving me an F1 seat and then going through all these emotions over all the years with these key people in the team.

“So, when there are tough times, it’s very easy to say goodbye or forget about it or ignore it. But I think it’s actually way more important to actually face them and go through it together and deal with it and just try to move on from there and focus back, of course, on the performance side of things and have fun out there.

“That’s, at the end, the most important. If you’re not having fun, then there’s no point to continue.”

World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing

World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Horner had hailed Verstappen’s fourth title win as the best of his career and when the Dutchman was asked if he agreed with his boss, he added: “I think so, too.

“Last year, I had a dominant car, but I always felt that not everyone appreciated what we achieved as a team, winning 10 in a row.

“Of course, our car was dominant, but it wasn’t as dominant as people thought it was. I will always look back at [2023], because even in places where maybe we didn’t have the perfect set-up, we were still capable, because in the race, our car was always quite strong, to win races.

“But I’m also very proud of this season because, for most of the season, I would say for 70% of the season, we didn’t have the fastest car, but actually we still extended our lead. So that is definitely something that I’m very proud of.”

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Verstappen eager to race Daytona 24 and Le Mans after GTP car run

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Max Verstappen says he has a desire to venture into endurance racing in the future, but admits his focus is squarely on Formula 1 as he sits on the brink of a fourth consecutive title.

The 27-year-old Dutchman took part in a celebration of Honda’s ‘Hybrid Heroes’ on Tuesday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he received his first taste of GTP machinery behind the wheel of an Acura ARX-06.

Coached up by Colin Braun, who drives the car for Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, Verstappen set off for nearly a half-hour of running around a road course layout estimated around 1.3 miles in length.

In a roundtable with select media, Verstappen was asked by Motorsport.com if this opportunity teased the idea of running in the endurance classic, he said: «Yeah, it’s not about teasing or whatever. I know that I want to do it in the future anyway, but it’s just about finding the time.

«With such a busy F1 schedule, it’s almost impossible because we finish so late in the season and then to properly prepare where you have to run Daytona or whatever, is pretty impossible.

«I know that when I want to do it, I want to go there and try to win it, be really competitive. The only way to do so is by doing some proper testing and get really well prepared, which is not possible at the moment.

«But, who knows? Maybe in a few years time. I’ll still be young-ish and I’ll be able to drive the cars.»

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: HRC

David Salters, president of Honda Racing Corporation, said Verstappen will always have an opportunity for a drive in the Daytona 24 Hours.

«I think for Max Verstappen the door is always open,» Salters exclusively told Motorsport.com. «It’s Max Verstappen! He is one of the greatest racing drivers of all time already, let’s see what he goes on to achieve.

«We have a brilliant relationship with Max. Let’s see what happens, but he’s a busy boy. But, the door is always open for Max Verstappen.»

The Red Bull Racing driver’s only previous sensation to the GTP machinery came on a simulator, which helped limit a steep initial learning curve.

«To get a first feel for it here, of course, there are quite some low-speed corners,» Verstappen said.

«The car really comes alive in the higher speeds that was more on the back side of the track. But it was very enjoyable. I’ve driven these cars on the sim a little bit, but to get a first feeling in real life was really cool.»

Verstappen went on to note «it was quite natural» getting behind the wheel for the first time, but the chilly conditions made for some extra time in warming up the tires up to an optimal temperature.

«I was trying to find the limits step-by-step without overdoing it,» he said, «because that’s not necessary at all, and have a bit of fun out there.»

 

When asked about wanting to race the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Verstappen noted it was a challenge with the demand of the current F1 schedule.

«Yeah, but I think it’s at the moment very hard to combine with F1,» he said. «Especially with everything being more and more competitive, you can’t divide your time between F1 and a GTP. At least for me, when I compete in something, I need to be well prepared.»



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What’s at stake at F1’s second Las Vegas GP?

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Formula 1 heads to Las Vegas for the second edition of its street race on the Strip. Here’s what’s at stake in Sin City.

A fourth F1 world title for Verstappen?

In the drivers’ championship, Max Verstappen could claim his fourth straight world title. With 86 points available across the remaining three grand prix weekends, the Red Bull man is guaranteed another crown by winning the race outright, or indeed by just finishing ahead of nearest challenger Lando Norris. Verstappen can even afford to finish directly behind Norris in most scenarios to claim the trophy on Saturday night.

The 27-year-old is poised to join the likes of Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Juan Manuel Fangio, who all won four consecutive titles before him, with Alain Prost the only other driver to conquer four drivers’ championships over his career. 

Verstappen will be champion in Vegas if:

  • Verstappen finishes ahead of Norris
  • Norris is second or third and Verstappen finishes right behind him with the fastest lap
  • Norris is fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth and Verstappen finishes right behind him
  • Norris is ninth, 10th or fails to score
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Ferrari’s best chance to strike

In the constructors’ championship the battle rages on, courtesy of Ferrari enjoying a strong resurgence after its late-season upgrades cured some of the SF-24’s flaws. McLaren leads Ferrari by 36 points, but the Scuderia comfortably outscored its rival over the most recent American triple-header, with a win apiece for both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Leclerc could have easily won last year’s Vegas event, and the slow corners and long straights are expected to benefit Ferrari more than McLaren and Red Bull this weekend. Leclerc did caution that Ferrari’s tyre management improvements this year may have inadvertently taken away a strength in the cold conditions likely faced in Nevada, so it remains to be seen if the Scuderia is as fast as it was last year.

But with McLaren still expected to have the most consistently fast car over the remaining three races, Ferrari will need a big weekend in Las Vegas to have a realistic chance of defeating the papaya team. The Italian squad is not expecting to be a match for McLaren through the high-speed corners of Qatar’s Losail circuit, while Abu Dhabi could go either way. So, Ferrari needs to outscore McLaren by a handy margin this weekend to stay in the fight.

As is well documented, Sergio Perez’s struggles have seen Red Bull demoted to third, 13 points adrift of Ferrari. The reigning champion could still beat Ferrari if the Mexican hits a late vain of form, but it looks resigned to stay where it is unless its rivals slip up like in Brazil.

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Fallout of FIA’s Wittich sacking to emerge

Las Vegas is also the first race weekend since the surprise ousting of Niels Wittich as F1’s race director. Wittich is the latest in a series of high-profile departures at the FIA under current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Wittich’s removal, which Autosport understands was due to a falling out with the president, caught many people in the paddock off-guard and is set to lead to further calls from F1 teams for the governing body to restore some stability in its leadership.

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The FIA has yet to respond to the drivers’ calls for Ben Sulayem to rethink his actions, with the drivers’ union GPDA having written an open letter bemoaning the FIA’s heavy-handed approach on matters like swearing and wearing jewellery. As the paddock reconvenes in Vegas, discussions on the various flashpoints that have dragged on throughout the season are likely to be held both in public and in private.

Las Vegas looking to confirm the hype on tough second album

Last year’s inaugural race down the Strip was hailed as a commercial success for F1, and the low-grip, high-speed layout ended up delivering an intriguing, action-packed race, ultimately won by one of its fiercest critics in Verstappen.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19

Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images

The event got off to a rocky start when Sainz wrecked his Ferrari over a loose water valve cover, leading to delays that saw spectators kicked out for FP2, which started at 2:30am local time.

The organisers are hoping for smoother operational running this time, having promised much less disruption for local residents after some businesses sued F1 and the city over missed income during the nine-month build-up to last year’s event, which closed down key arteries.

Following widespread criticism that it was only catering to high-end customers and the corporate world, the event has made 10,000 additional general admission tickets available for this year at lower prices, and the hotel price bubble of 2023 also appears to have been a one-off miscalculation. The city and the series are now keen to prove that the Las Vegas Grand Prix isn’t a one-hit wonder and can show its full potential on what is often a tough second album.

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Verstappen relieved by vital Brazilian GP win that puts F1 title in reach

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Max Verstappen breathed a huge sigh of relief after his spectacular victory in the rain-hit Brazilian Grand Prix saw him close in on the 2024 Formula 1 world drivers’ title.

While his nearest championship rival Lando Norris faltered, finishing sixth after starting from pole, Verstappen held his nerve with a flawless performance in the wet.

The reigning world champion served up an incredible 17 fastest laps as he powered his way up from 17th on the grid to glory.

Having barely put a wheel wrong, his opponents slid off track and duffed the barriers, making it arguably Verstappen’s most impressive performance in the wet. His victory, plus the bonus point for setting the fastest lap, means he increased his lead on Norris to 62 points.

The Red Bull driver can win his fourth straight title next time out in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, as this year’s drivers’ championship battle fizzled out on lap 43 in Brazil. As Verstappen passed Esteban Ocon for the lead, Norris went wide into Turn 1 and required a positional swap with team-mate Oscar Piastri to retake sixth.

Verstappen’s first grand prix win since the Spanish GP on 23 June all-but kills off Norris’ slim chance of snatching his maiden title.

The Dutchman said: “This was, of course looking at it now, incredibly important, because in a way I was expecting to lose points. From now, I just want clean races to the end [of the season].

“I am not thinking about clinching the championship in Vegas or whatever. I just want clean races. That was important. I wanted to win a bit sooner but it’s been tough for us.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

“We always kept pushing. We didn’t really understand why the others were so fast in the race.

“I’ve been trying a lot of things to improve the car. Starting P17 this morning didn’t look like we’re going to win the race again. So, it’s an incredible result for us.

“A massive boost for the team because honestly it’s been tough. But it is also a big strength of the team to stay calm and just try to work on performance and try to improve our situation.

“I’m confident for the last three races, that we can fight again and, especially in the race, that we will be more competitive.”

Verstappen admitted he wanted to “destroy” the team’s garage after an ill-timed red flag in qualifying, coupled with a five-place engine penalty, meant that he would start the race in 17th.

Speaking about his impressive recovery drive, he added: “My emotions went from wanting to destroy the garage to winning the race.

“We had a good start that helped. We had a good first lap and from there on, we just picked off a few drivers here and there.

“I got a little bit stuck behind the train of [RB’s] Yuki [Tusnoda] and then we just stayed calm. It was a very long race and we made the right calls. When some pitted and the rain was coming, we stayed out, which was very sketchy.

Race winner Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Race winner Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

“I was like, ‘I’m just happy to keep the car on the track’. At one point it was just red [flag conditions]. We needed a red flag.

“It was just undriveable; even on extreme tyres it would have not been possible. It almost felt like I was driving a boat or a jet ski!”

Verstappen’s smile — and the swagger — has clearly returned after he felt hard done by with penalties and subsequent criticism following his performances in Austin and Mexico, where he clashed with Norris. This followed being in the spotlight for swearing during a live press conference in Singapore and getting a community service punishment.

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Verstappen had earlier claimed that he “has the wrong passport» for the F1 paddock, inferring there is a British bias, so he stopped the press conference to hit back, saying: “I have a quick question here. I appreciate all of you being here, but I don’t see any British press. They have to run to the airport or anything?

“They don’t know where the press conference is? You know, that’s a fair question. That’s a fair question.”



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Verstappen takes engine penalty for Sunday’s Brazilian GP

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Max Verstappen will take a five-place grid penalty for an engine change for Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix, as he moves onto his sixth internal combustion engine of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

The championship leader had already taken a new ICE beyond the allowable limit of four at July’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, this being the third successive year that Red Bull had chosen to take the hit at that circuit.

Following a series of power unit issues in Mexico’s Friday sessions, as an air leak kept Verstappen confined to the garage during the final part of FP1 and the majority of FP2, Red Bull has chosen to take another engine from outside its pool.

This means that Verstappen will lose five places from wherever he qualifies for Sunday’s grand prix, although his sprint race qualifying result will be unaffected.

Verstappen will also use a new exhaust system, his eighth of the season, which takes him to the maximum permitted to last the campaign.

The Dutchman has been in an increasingly precarious situation with his engine allowance for much of the season, as a problem with one unit in practice for the Canadian Grand Prix in June led to a lengthy inspection — leading to a fourth ICE being used as early as Spain.

This led to Red Bull taking a new Honda powerplant at Spa, but Verstappen has now lost another from his pool as a result of the issues in Mexico.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF that the engine eventually used at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez «was no longer intended for the race, and the older an engine gets, the more its performance diminishes.»

He added that the Red Bull was giving up approximately «three to eight km/h on the straights» thanks to the reduction in horsepower.

Asked on Thursday if Brazil was one of the less compromising races to take a power unit penalty, Verstappen responded that it was not a certainty that he could recover ground lost to a penalty.

«That is something that is always unknown. You think that one particular track is the best place to take an engine or whatever penalty, but it’s never guaranteed. But yeah, it’s a possibility.»



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I have the wrong passport for the F1 paddock

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Max Verstappen says he «has the wrong passport» for the Formula 1 paddock amid fierce criticism over his driving tactics in last week’s Mexico Grand Prix.

In Mexico City, Verstappen was handed a double 10-second penalty for two incidents in which he forced McLaren title rival Lando Norris off the track, which caused unease from various colleagues over his aggressive driving style in the title run-in.

Verstappen particularly copped heavy criticism from British pundits, with 1996 F1 world champion and Sky analyst Damon Hill wondering if the three-time champion is even capable of racing fairly.

Meanwhile, Johnny Herbert, who was the FIA driver steward in Mexico, suggested Verstappen drove Norris off on purpose exiting Turn 7 to ensure Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc would make it past, hindering Norris’ title bid by reducing the number of points left on the table for the Briton.

Verstappen initially shrugged off Hill’s comments in the Brazilian Grand Prix’s FIA press conference, but speaking later on to Dutch-language journalists, he was amused by how he seemed to have the wrong nationality to be treated fairly by the media and the stewards.

«I know what most people are like, it’s nothing new,» he said. «Last year was perfect, so it must have hurt a lot for many people that they couldn’t say anything negative.

«Now they’ve got the chance to say something, so they’re all coming out of the woodwork. At the end of the day, I’ve got the wrong passport for this paddock.»

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Verstappen called Herbert’s theory «a pretty extreme accusation» and insisted he didn’t drive Norris off on purpose in Turn 7.

«I didn’t do anything on purpose. They can’t look inside my head,» he said. «It’s a pretty extreme accusation. We just raced hard.»

While questioning the size of the penalty for his Turn 4 incident with Norris, Verstappen did acknowledge the second 10-second penalty for his Turn 7 manoeuvre was fair. But he didn’t feel there was any reason to race differently from now on.

«You win some, you lose some,» he said about the outcome of his Turn 7 lunge. «It depends. Every situation is different and in hindsight, it’s always easy to have another look at it.

«It happened, we just have to make sure we have a more competitive car so we don’t end up in that situation again, because that’s where it starts.»

What is also behind Verstappen’s suggestion of bias is his community service penalty for swearing in Baku’s press conference, while Leclerc hasn’t been slapped on the wrists yet for a similar offence in Mexico.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Lubomir Asenov / Motorsport Images

«[Herbert] had big opinions about what I said in the press conference [in Baku], but I didn’t hear him after the press conference in Mexico.

«Actually, what [Leclerc] said is worse than what I said in its context, and it was a much more important press conference with more people watching. But you know, I’m not going to spend time on that. It is what it is.»

Autosport understands the FIA is still considering whether or not Leclerc’s swearing in Mexico’s post-race press conference needs to be investigated further, with a call expected over the Brazilian GP weekend.

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FIA stewards reject McLaren’s Right of Review petition over Norris’s Austin penalty

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McLaren has had its request for a Right of Review into Lando Norris’ Austin penalty rejected by the FIA stewards for last weekend’s Formula 1 race in Austin.

McLaren had argued that the stewards made an incorrect statement – and overall call – in handing Norris a penalty in Document 69 (from the FIA timing system) of the Austin weekend.

It was this that the Woking team submitted as a “significant and relevant new element that was unavailable to McLaren at the time the stewards took their decision” to penalise Norris.

McLaren tried to argue that Norris had successfully got ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the scrap at Turn 12 late in the United States Grand Prix and so became a defending car and not an attacker when Verstappen shot back to reach the apex of the corner ahead before they both ran wide and Norris overtook in the wide run-off area.

In order for the Right of Review procedure to get to its second stage, which here would have been a new case assessing if Norris’s penalty would be rescinded, all teams initiating this process must prove to the stewards what they are arguing as new evidence is ‘significant’, ‘relevant’, ‘new’ and ‘unavailable at the time of the decision’.

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

The hearing in the Mexican GP paddock – with the Austin stewards joining via video – lasted just 25 minutes, as McLaren team boss Andrea Stella and team manager Randeep Singh made their case.

Red Bull representatives, which included sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, FIA officials including head of single seater matters Nikolas Tombazis were also present – with Wheatley outlining Red Bull’s arguments in the case.

Singh argued that McLaren believed ‘Document 69’ was a significant and relevant new element because “The document for the decision contained a statement that was incorrect and that [therefore] evidenced an objective, measurable and provable error had been made by the stewards” – per the FIA document announcing the Right of Review had been rejected.

McLaren said “that the statement [in ‘Document 69’] was that “Car 4 was overtaking Car 1 on the outside but was not level with Car 1 at the apex” and that “the above statement was in error because McLaren had evidence that Car 4 had already overtaken and was ahead of Car 1 “at the braking zone”.

Stella argued that “the case for McLaren was a ‘legally sophisticated explanation’ and urged the stewards to recognize that this was a substantive case especially compared to previous Right of Review cases”.

Wheatley said Red Bull felt none of the four Right of Review criteria had been met in this case and said, also per the relevant FIA document, that “in view of the “very high bar” that is set (in Article 14 of the FIA International Sporting Code) for a successful petitioning of a Right of Review, it is “extremely onerous” to establish the existence of the new element”.

McLaren, however, believed its evidence presented met the high bar required and also “stated that he felt there needed to be another way to correct decisions taken in a race”.

Having adjourned the hearing, the Austin stewards decided to only focus on one of the Right of Review elements – relevance – and declared that “the concept that the written Decision (Document 69) was the significant and relevant new element, or that an error in the decision was a new element, is not sustainable and is therefore rejected”.

The Austin stewards also explained that “McLaren appears to submit that the Stewards finding that “Car 4 was not level with Car 1 at the apex” was an error and that Car 4 had overtaken Car 1 before the apex (and therefore that Car 1 was the overtaking car) and that this asserted error is itself, a new element.

The statement continued: “This is unsustainable. A petition for review is made in order to correct an error (of fact or law) in a decision. Any new element must demonstrate that error.

“The error that must be shown to exist, cannot itself be the element referred to in Article 14 (of the ISC).”

At the end of their petition rejection document, the Austin stewards also commented on the “high bar” element of the Right of Review rule in the ISC.

They determined to draw the FIA’s attention to how “The current ‘high bar’ that exists in Article 14 and the fact that it appears to have been designed more for decisions that are taken as a result of a hearing where all parties are present, rather than in the pressurised environment of a race session, when decisions are taken, (as is allowed under the International Sporting Code), without all parties being present.”

This is an element of how Norris’s penalty was applied in Austin – without hearing his or Verstappen’s point of view – that had frustrated McLaren last weekend.

Following the decision, McLaren issued a statement which read: «We acknowledge the Stewards’ decision to reject our petition requesting a Right of Review.

«We disagree with the interpretation that an FIA document, which makes a competitor aware of an objective, measurable and provable error in the decision made by the stewards, cannot be an admissible “element” which meets all four criteria set by the ISC, as specified in Article 14.3.

«We would like to thank the FIA and the stewards for having considered this case in a timely manner.

«We will continue to work closely with the FIA to further understand how teams can constructively challenge decisions that lead to an incorrect classification of the race.»



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Drivers seeking FIA answers over why Verstappen wasn’t penalised in Austin

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Formula 1 drivers are set to review the United States Grand Prix battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in Mexico’s drivers briefing amid questions over how the FIA’s racing rules are applied.

Verstappen and Norris fought a hard battle for third position in Austin until they both went off at Austin’s Turn 12 with four laps to go. Norris passed his title rival off the track, which netted him a five-second penalty, while Verstappen went unpunished for pushing his colleague off.

According to the racing standards guidelines as they are written, Verstappen was in the right as the defending car and did not have to leave Norris racing room.

McLaren launched a right of review petition on Thursday to revisit the case, with Norris arguing that because he was already ahead of Verstappen he was the defending party rather than the Dutchman.

While the stewards appeared to apply the rules as they stand correctly, several leading drivers have taken issue with the practice of drivers being able to launch up the inside with no regard of whether or not they are able to make the corner, as long as they are ahead of their rival at the apex.

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«It’s always been a grey area,» said Lewis Hamilton. «They probably need to make some adjustments for sure.

«Also we do have inconsistencies through rulings depending on which stewards are there. And as a sport, we do need to level up on all areas.

«I experienced it many times with Max. You shouldn’t be able to just launch the car up the inside and then go off and still hold the position.»

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell says he’s interested in learning how the FIA looks at the incident now, and whether their interpretation means Verstappen was totally in the right or was exploiting an unintended loophole in the current guidelines — or «taking the piss» as Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas described it.

«I don’t think you can write a set of regulations that covers every single possible scenario, it is a very fine line,» drivers’ association director Russell said.

«I’m really interested to see if the FIA believe, having reviewed everything again, if Max should have been penalised for what he did or not.

«In my view, he should have been penalised. Therefore, there isn’t really a loophole.

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«If they say: ‘Based on our regulations, he should not have been penalised’, then he is exploring a loophole.»

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz said he also had questions over how aggressive a defending car can be.

«That is a very good question that I need to ask the stewards, because obviously it changes the way we go racing,» he said.

«It means the guy defending on the inside can brake as late as they want and they can fake the fact that you are trying to hit the apex when you are maybe not.

«It needs to be clarified because in that case they were both to blame; Max for running wide and Lando for gaining a position off the track.

Watch: McLaren and Red Bull Summoned by the Stewards — F1 Mexican GP Media Day Reaction

«That is why that specific scenario is a very complicated one on how to rule on it.»

Russell and Sainz both agreed that a gravel strip on the outside of Turn 12 would largely fix the underlying issue, and few drivers are expecting similar issues this weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.

«The root cause of the problem is having a circuit that allows you to run wide,» Russell said.

«And if we take Austria last year as an example, you had, I don’t know, 300 track limit problems. They put gravel in, and there’s no problems.

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«If you put gravel on that corner, Lando doesn’t go off and overtake, and Max doesn’t brake that late and go off as well.»

Sainz added making circuit changes would be much more straightforward than endless discussions about racing rules.

«If you think about it, the solution might be solved by itself by circuit standards or modifications,» he said.

«We keep going around in circles with guidelines that might be easier to solve with certain, slight changes to the track, which some tracks have already performed.»

Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, which also hosts MotoGP that has different run-off requirements, is understood to be in discussions with the FIA over potential changes for 2025.

Additional reporting by Alex Kalinauckas and Erwin Jaeggi



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‘McLaren complains a lot’ after Norris battle issue at US GP

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Max Verstappen has insisted he has no sympathy for McLaren arguing he pushed Lando Norris off at Turn 12 in Austin, saying Red Bull’s rival has been «complaining a lot recently».

Norris had been chasing Verstappen for third place for most of the second stint of the COTA’s 56-lap race when he attacked his championship rival around the outside of the Turn 12 left-hander.

Verstappen defended the inside and appeared ahead at the apex, then drifted wide until he left the track with all four tyres, forcing Norris to go wide with him on his outside.

Norris still came out ahead, with both drivers and teams at odds over who should give way as Red Bull argued Norris shouldn’t have overtaken while off the track.

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The Briton decided to keep the position instead of letting Verstappen back past, and that ultimately made the stewards hand him a five-second penalty, which dropped him back to fourth behind Verstappen in the results.

When asked by Autosport if he had any sympathy for McLaren’s side of the argument, Verstappen replied: «No, I don’t. I mean, they complain about a lot recently.

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

«It’s very clear in the rules, outside the white line you cannot pass. I have been done for it as well in the past – I think in 2017, or whenever it was, so I lost my podium like that.

«So I just remained calm, trying to do the best I could after that to bring the car to the end. It was not easy with the tyres and the situation that I was in. But overall, I still really enjoyed that battle that we had.»

Verstappen was referring to McLaren taking issue with Red Bull’s device to change the height of its front bib, which had dominated the news agenda earlier in the weekend.

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A similar incident occurred at the start, when polesitter Norris covered the inside of the Turn 1 hairpin but still left the door ajar for the Dutchman to squeeze through.

Ultimately both drivers went off, handing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc a golden opportunity to swoop past on his way to winning the COTA race.

«There was a gap on the inside, so I went for it,» Verstappen commented on his start. «That corner is very wide, so it gives you a lot of opportunity of going very wide or trying to go really tight.

«I chose that option, and I still came out second this time, and it was Charles in front. I think it worked out quite well for me, because Charles was faster anyway, so he just pulled away.

«Today wasn’t the best race for us compared to yesterday – just struggling for balance, for grip. I couldn’t really brake, rotate the car, so quite quickly I realised that I wasn’t going to win the race, so I just tried to do my own race.»



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