Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has claimed Max Verstappen‘s aggressive driving wasn’t suppressed earlier in Formula 1 as unpunished incidents “legitimated” his actions.
Verstappen’s approach to racing was scrutinised again at the Mexico City Grand Prix, as he was handed two 10-second time penalties over clashes with Lando Norris.
READ MORE – Max Verstappen penalised after Lando Norris F1 battle in Mexico
The stewards’ decision to penalise Verstappen’s actions on Lap 10 comes amid criticism levelled at the FIA in the United States over similar events going unpunished.
Verstappen pushing Norris wide on two occasions in Austin without a sanction prompted the drivers to hold a discussion in Mexico over the current racing guidelines.
The meeting concluded with most drivers in agreement that changes must be made to the regulation, with the FIA set to post a revised rulebook in the coming weeks.
Wolff is expecting the impending updates to overhaul how the drivers go racing amid Verstappen’s claim that he will measure his driving to how the rules are outlined.
“A driver will always push to the limit,” Wolff told media including Motorsport Week.
“When the rules, or the execution of the rules, or the interpretation of the rules, allow a certain way of racing, a driver like Max is always going to exploit it.
“I think now, there has been a new interpretation and execution of those regulations and I think it will change the way everybody races in the future. You won’t see that anymore.”
Verstappen’s unpunished clashes encouraged approach
Wolff witnessed Verstappen’s assertive racing in wheel-to-wheel combat when the Red Bull driver was embroiled in a tense title battle against Mercedes back in 2021.
The Austrian has contended that the Dutchman’s various run-ins with Lewis Hamilton not being dealt with during that season encouraged him to not alter his attitude.
“I think back in the day certain stewards had their opinion that was on and because it wasn’t penalised it basically legitimated it,” Wolff added.
“Fair enough to have a driver who utilised, who drives within the regs, and utilises all the margins that are given to him by a steward.”
What changes are coming?
Expanding on what the new racing guidelines could contain, Wolff has indicated that there will be a bigger clampdown on drivers running competitors wide at corners.
“I always say that the drivers or people that have driven in racing cars, they know exactly, and many of you who are experts know exactly what’s happening.
“You know when somebody is releasing the brake too late and just drags you to the corner, pushes you wide.
“From the early days in go-karting, you know that you’re not going to survive on the outside if you’re not ahead.
“So, I think the rules are pretty clear and the drivers know, but, as I said before, the rule is everybody is trying to push them and if you get away with things, that is the new limit.
“So will it change? Absolutely. I think now there is precedent.”
He added: “I believe that you probably got to, from now on, you got to leave space on the outside of the corner if the car is next to you.
“On the same height and braking late and dragging the other car out of the track whilst also driving off-track, I think that’s not allowed anymore. I think it’s good for racing.”
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