There is still much talk in Brazil about the clash between
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in Mexico. The Dutchman now looks back on his
penalties himself and can agree with at least one of them.
Max Verstappen has partially defended the Mexico City Grand
Prix stewards for one of the two decisions to hand him a 10-second time
penalty.
The Dutchman incurred a pair of punishments in equal measure
for separate incidents on lap 10 of 71 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez,
both whilst battling with championship rival Lando Norris.
First, the 27-year-old pushed the McLaren off
the track when it was trying to overtake around the outside of Turn 4,
something for which he also picked up two penalty points on his FIA super
licence.
Only a few corners later, Verstappen lunged his Red Bull up
the inside of Norris, who was now ahead, at Turn 7.
In doing so, he again pushed the McLaren wide. This time,
however, it was the three-time F1 drivers' champion who came out in front.
It was an aggressive move, which has been robustly chastised
by former F1 drivers and pundits, and provoked the stewards to sanction him for
going off-track and gaining a lasting advantage.
The latter decision is one Verstappen has now no issue with,
but he was quick to highlight what he felt was an inconsistent application of
the regulations.
"That second penalty is all fine," the 61-time
grand prix winner told Dutch media including RacingNews365.
"But then again, with that first one, I don't understand why you get five
seconds one time and 10 seconds the next."
When it was explained to him that Norris only escaped with a
five-second punishment in Austin because he had to leave the circuit to avoid
contact, the Red Bull driver appeared to disagree with the ruling, replying:
"It's always things... You can always find a reason."
