One week after their controversial battle in Austin during the U.S. Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris clashed again during the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix. This time, Verstappen was punished. But punishment after the fact is one thing. Modifying rules to reduce the prospects of incidents are needed.
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris clashed twice in quick succession on lap 10 of the Mexican Grand Prix, and there were critical differences with the incident in Austin seven days previous. The first incident on Sunday came going into turn four as Norris attempted an overtake around the outside of Verstappen. As happened in Austin, Verstappen ran Norris off the track, leaving no room for Norris to make the corner.
However, unlike in Austin, Norris was ahead of Verstappen at the apex of the corner. So, based on the current racing guidelines, he was entitled to be given room to complete the overtake. That did not happen, and this time, the stewards punished Max Verstappen with a 10-second time penalty for “forcing another driver off the track.”
Before the penalty could be investigated, there was more drama between the two title rivals. Going into turn eight of the same lap with Verstappen now behind Norris, Verstappen made an aggressive lunge down the inside of Norris that not only forced Norris off track but also caused him to run wide off the track. Verstappen was so far off the track that it was clear for all to see that he had no intention of making the corner. Verstappen was given an additional 10-second penalty for “leaving the track and gaining an advantage” as he joined the circuit ahead of Norris with no intention of returning the place.
The turn-eight incident was almost identical to that between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton during the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix. On that occasion, Verstappen was again overaggressive, and he was hit with multiple penalties during the closing races of that season.
While the hope for racing fans is that they are not witnessing in 2024 what they saw in 2021, the repeat incidents show that Verstappen has not changed his approach and attitude to racing. Since joining Formula One, it has become clear that he will always race aggressively and push the rules to the limit. It is not a good look for Formula One when its World Champion disregards the rules and his fellow competitors.
That said, there is an issue here beyond the transgressor. Formula One racing guidelines must be strengthened so they cannot be exploited. Following the U.S. Grand Prix, a meeting was held between all drivers and the FIA about the current guidelines, and it has been agreed that they will be looked at and possibly amended by the time of the Qatar Grand Prix in two races.
In my opinion, the guidelines need to go back to basics. Whether the driver is overtaking or defending, they must make the corner or do everything they can to make it. The ‘ahead at apex’ rule should be forgotten initially. I mentioned in last week’s column that there needs to be some form of detriment, like a gravel trap, to prevent drivers from being able to run wide off the track and rejoin any disadvantage. While I still believe that is the right thing to do, I also think current guidelines are open to exploitation as drivers can aim to get ahead at the apex of a corner without the need to stay within the track limits themselves.
Other incidents during Sunday’s race prove that drivers are exploiting the current rules. For example, Liam Lawson collided with Sergio Perez and Franco Colapinto. While not as aggressive as what Verstappen did, it was still avoidable.
With four rounds of the 2024 Formula One season remaining, it seems inevitable that Verstappen and Norris will clash again, with Verstappen pushing the rules. Metting out punishments after the fact is one thing, but it’s clear the sport needs more than that—it needs amended rules.
