NEWS; F1 stars unite against Verstappen amid Mexican GP CONTROVERSY

World famous Formula 1 driver Lando Norris will pit into Sonoma Raceway this November for the Velocity Invitational. (Photo: Sonoma Raceway)

Formula 1’s stars have united against Max Verstappen following his controversial racing style at the Mexican Grand Prix.

The Dutchman once again demonstrated his aggressive tactics in Mexico City, as he battled Lando Norris during the opening stages of the race.

However, this time the FIA slammed him with a 10-second penalty for pushing Norris off-track, and awarded a further 10 for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in a separate incident.

Verstappen’s championship rival branded his racing style as ‘dangerous’, while Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff labelled Verstappen’s driving as ‘dirty’.

GPDA back FIA’s hardline approach in Mexico

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, which is led by Mercedes star George Russell, discussed the racing guidelines at their drivers meeting during the Mexican GP weekend.

According to Russell, all but one of the drivers were happy for the stewards to change their approach with penalising these types of incidents, rather than wait until 2025 for new guidelines.

“I think the stewards are totally on board with what needs to change,” Russell told media at the Mexican GP.

“Our view is…I think the biggest discussion is they wanted to wait until ’25, so it’s something consistent through this year. I would say 19 out of 20 drivers said, ‘well, if it’s incorrect, make the change today’.

“And I’m glad to see those incidents were punished and I suspect moving forward in Brazil what we saw today [Sunday] and what we saw last week [in Austin] you won’t be able to get away with.

“You presume [it should be easy to change if everyone agrees], but it sometimes seems more difficult than it has to be when things have to get approved and we’ve got to go to a vote app. But as I said, 19 out of 20, we’re all aligned on where it needs to be.”

While it is unclear which driver voted against the move, the drivers were almost unanimous in their snub of driving tactics used by Verstappen in Austin and Mexico.

 

 

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