Valtteri Bottas has claimed that some Formula 1 drivers are “taking the p***” with the racing rules amid Lando Norris and Max Verstappen’s clash in the United States.
Norris was denied a podium in Austin last weekend as the stewards deemed that he gained a lasting advantage when he went wide overtaking Verstappen at Turn 12.
Verstappen escaping a punishment came despite multiple drivers being hit with penalties for forcing another driver off the track at the same corner earlier in the race.
The Dutchman capitalised on the ruling that the driver who is ahead at the apex is entitled to the corner, which he managed with dives on Norris at both Turn 1 and 12.
But while he wouldn’t provide his verdict on the incidents between the two title contenders, Bottas believes more drivers are starting to test the limit of the regulations.
“It’s always been pretty clear,” Bottas told media including Motorsport Week in Mexico regarding whether the driver guidelines on racing are clear.
“No drama there. It’s just that some drivers are pushing the limits of the regulations more and almost like taking the p*** out of it, but the rules are clear.”
Bottas was involved in a clash the stewards investigated as George Russell was disciplined when the Mercedes driver shoved his Sauber counterpart wide at Turn 12.
“I thought it was going to be on the limit,” Bottas recalled. “I was kind of 50/50, about it.
“I didn’t even moan about it in the radio. In the end, they decided what they decide and it didn’t change my race anyway, so I wasn’t too fussed about it.”
FIA working on stewarding inconsistencies
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was outraged by the outcome, however, as he accused the stewards of bias with the panel’s choice to penalise Russell but not Verstappen.
“I think it’s been the case always. When we’re rotating the stewards, they try to be consistent,” Bottas highlighted.
“They try to follow the guidelines, but it’s not always possible, because every incident or overtake and every track are different.
“As long as you have different stewards, you will have different opinions, but I think the FIA knows that is an issue sometimes, and they’re trying to find a solution for the future.”
Bottas pinpoints rise in dubious driving
Bottas has pinpointed the written ruling that whoever earns the high ground has the right to the corner as an issue which has contributed to dubious driving tactics.
Asked whether it was a problem that drivers now arrive at corners out of control in order to reach the apex first, Bottas responded: “It’s a bit of an issue.
“But then you come to the point that if you leave the track, you’re not allowed to gain an advantage, which is not always easy to measure, like who’s gaining more or less advantage.
“That’s been kind of the situation always.
“I think now with the guidelines, people are really making sure that they are ahead at the apex, no matter if they make the corner or not, which is not really how you should race.
“But I don’t have a solution for that.”
READ MORE: Red Bull: McLaren made error not telling Lando Norris to let Max Verstappen past in F1 US GP
