Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has been hit with two 10-second penalties early in the Mexico City Grand Prix for controversial tactics in his latest battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris, opening the door to another twist in the title race.
Verstappen forced Norris off the track while defending his position and, on the same lap, pushed his title rival off again while trying to take the position back.
Commentator Martin Brundle described Verstappen’s antics in Mexico as “outrageous”.
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Norris complained to his team over the radio that Verstappen “overtook off the track and pushed me off”.
While the driver’s championship leader was informed by his team over the radio, he was rather coy about the penalty.
“10 (seconds), that’s quite impressive,” he said, trying to bite his tongue.
Brundle was quick to explain that the penalty was fair.
“I think you can understand that because what the stewards would have felt was that what Verstappen did was dangerous,” he said.
Brundle’s fellow commentator David Croft then chimed in, saying that there should have been another penalty issued for another Verstappen clash with Norris where he forced the McLaren driver off the track.
“What about turn seven? That was more dangerous. That was much more dangerous,” he said.
The two incidents were only 20 seconds apart, and while it initally appeared that the second penalty had been overlooked by officials – they later handed down an additional 10 seconds to Verstappen.
The two penalties means Verstappen is destined for a low points finish, offering Norris a big swing in the title race.
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