WOLFF: “Verstappen’s penalties will change how all drivers race”

Verstappen received two 10-second penalties in Mexico: one for pushing Lando Norris off the track early in the race, and the other for gaining an advantage by going off-track a few corners later.
These incidents and the stewards’ stance came just a week after Norris was handed a five-second penalty for going off-track during a battle with Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix.
This situation has led to pressure for an update to F1’s “Driving Standards Guidelines.”

According to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, although this update may not happen until the Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen’s heavy penalties this time will change how all drivers race.
“A driver will always push the limits,” Wolff said. “Especially when the rules allow a certain style of racing, a driver like Max will always take advantage of that.”
“Now there’s a new interpretation and enforcement of these rules, and this will change how everyone races in the future.”

Wolff believes it’s critical for his drivers to leave space for their rivals for good racing.

“Drivers know exactly what’s happening in the heat of the moment. When someone brakes too late or pushes you off track, you feel it,” he says.
“Since the first days in karting, you know that if you’re not ahead, staying outside won’t keep you alive. I think the rules are quite clear, and drivers know this well.”
“Everyone tries to brake late, pulling both themselves and the other car off-track, but I believe that’s going to change now,” he continues.
“Now there’s an example, and I think others were penalized as well. This will be good for racing.”

However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has a different view.
“Attacking from the outside used to reward brave drivers,” he argues.
“I think we’re facing a reversal of overtaking rules. Drivers will now just try to get their noses into the apex and claim they deserve space.”
“In any indoor karting track worldwide, if you have the inside line, you control the corner. This is one of the fundamentals of racing physics,” he explains.
“I think they need to get back to basics; otherwise, we’re going to have a mess. If you’re on the outside, you don’t have priority.”