NORRIS: “VERSTAPPEN GOT WHAT HE DESERVED WITH 20-SECOND PENALTY”
Max Verstappen received two penalties of 10 seconds each due to incidents that occurred during the 10th lap of the Mexican Grand Prix.
Lando Norris believes that his rival Max Verstappen was harshly penalized by the Mexican Grand Prix stewards for his on-track behavior, stating that Verstappen “got what he deserved.” The Red Bull driver fell from the lead and came under pressure from Norris, who made his move during the 10th lap.
Unlike the controversial incident a week earlier in Austin, Norris ensured that his front axle was ahead of Verstappen’s at the apex of Turn 4, which meant that Verstappen was required to give him space. However, Verstappen drove towards the white line, forcing Norris off the track. The McLaren driver gained a position by going through the grass but was then pushed off track again by Verstappen in Turn 8 as the Dutchman reclaimed second place with a strong maneuver.
Verstappen received two 10-second penalties for forcing another driver off the track in the first incident and gaining an advantage by going off track in the second.
Norris commented on the situation, saying, “I don’t think I need to say much. What happened is pretty clear. I did everything that was told to me in terms of the rules and guidelines, but it obviously shouldn’t have been like that, and he certainly received some penalties for it.”
When asked how far Verstappen would go to beat him in the championship battle, Norris responded, “I go into every race expecting a tough battle with Max. Honestly, it doesn’t matter whether he finishes first or second; his only goal is to beat me in the race, and he will sacrifice himself to do that, as he did today.
“But I want to have good battles with him. I want to have tough but fair fights, like many times I’ve seen him do. The battles with Max will always be on the edge. It will always be tough. No one will make it easy, especially not at this point in the year for me… But I think what happened today was not fair racing, and that’s why I think he got what he deserved.”
Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, the FIA will hold meetings between the single-seater commission and the Grand Prix Drivers Association to discuss changes to the racing rules. These changes will be discussed with the drivers in Qatar and made applicable for that weekend and the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
