Max Verstappen’s actions during the Mexican Grand Prix, particularly on lap 10, have drawn significant scrutiny, with Ralf Schumacher stating they were “purely intentional.” The controversy unfolded as Verstappen and Lando Norris found themselves in another intense battle, reminiscent of their previous encounter at the Austin Grand Prix, where Norris received a penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the track. This ongoing rivalry intensified at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where both drivers were eager to assert their positions.
During the race, Norris attempted to overtake Verstappen around the outside of Turn 4 and managed to secure the apex, a maneuver that Christian Horner suggested resembled a divebomb. However, Verstappen reacted aggressively by challenging Norris into Turn 7, leading to both drivers running off the track. Despite having been the one to initiate the aggressive move, Verstappen failed to yield the position back to Norris, resulting in penalties that would ultimately cost him dearly.
Verstappen was penalized with two 10-second penalties, finishing the race in sixth place, while Norris secured a strong second place. This marked a significant swing in points, with Norris earning 18 points compared to Verstappen’s eight, narrowing the gap in the championship standings. Despite this setback, Verstappen remained in a favorable position overall, still leading the Drivers’ Championship by 47 points with only 120 points remaining in the season.
Schumacher emphasized the calculated nature of Verstappen’s racing style, describing him as a “street dog” who is willing to take risks due to his commanding lead in the championship. In contrast, the McLaren team, under Timo Glock’s analysis, advised Norris to adopt a more cautious approach, weighing the risks before making overtaking decisions. This strategy highlights the different circumstances in which the two drivers operated, with Verstappen feeling more emboldened to push the limits.
The penalties imposed on Verstappen were a topic of debate, particularly in comparison to Norris’s previous penalty in Austin, which was reduced from 10 seconds to five. Glock noted the inconsistency, arguing that the contact between Verstappen and Norris warranted a reconsideration of the severity of the penalties. As Verstappen left Mexico, he maintained his lead in the Drivers’ standings, but Red Bull’s performance faltered, resulting in them slipping to third place in the Constructors’ Championship as Ferrari capitalized with a strong showing.
