Red Bull’s Max Verstappen played coy after suffering 20 seconds’ worth of penalties for running McLaren’s Lando Norris off of the circuit in the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s defence against Norris a week prior in Austin was a major talking point and was even subject to an unsuccessful right of review by McLaren.
In Mexico, racing guidelines were discussed, given Verstappen’s aggressive style went unpunished in Austin due to the letter of the F1 law.
But at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Verstappen was deemed to have crossed the line, not once but twice.
The Dutchman was handed a 10-second penalty for forcing Norris off the circuit at Turn 4, and then another 10 seconds for doing the same at Turn 8 on a frenetic 10th lap of the Mexico GP.
“Honestly 20 seconds is a lot, but I’m not going to cry about it, and I’m not going to share my opinion,” Verstappen told select media including Motorsport Week post-race.
“I mean I just felt that the Turn 4 was a bit more of like a question mark, [the second penalty] is what it is.
“Honestly, those two things are also not my problem, the problem is that we are too slow and that’s why I’m being put in those positions, that is my problem.”
Max Verstappen drives how he has to drive
Verstappen’s 20 seconds worth of penalties came just days after a driver’s briefing were rules of engagement were a major talking point.
Upon that discussion on Friday Verstappen claimed how he will drive to where the rules allow.
The stewards’ interpretation on Sunday was that Verstappen drove beyond that limit, but the Dutchman is unlikely to change his approach.
“I mean at the end of the day everyone speaks for themselves,” Verstappen argued.
“Of course can the rules be better maybe yes maybe not, it’s always the same thing.
“I mean I just drive how I think I have to drive, last week that was alright, this week a 20-second penalty, it is what it is, life goes on you know.”
Driver penalties for indiscreet racing were upped from five seconds to 10 ahead of 2024, after the Mexico GP, Verstappen quipped “let’s try 20 next year.
“It doesn’t matter. I have no opinion.”
The penalties accrued by Verstappen in Mexico saw him drop down to sixth as Norris went on to finish second.
As it stands, the Dutchman leads his McLaren rival by 362 to 315 points in the Drivers’ standings with four rounds of the season remaining.
READ MORE – Max Verstappen penalised after Lando Norris F1 battle in Mexico
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