FIA inaction on Max Verstappen in 2021 ‘Justified’ aggressive driving

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has stated that the FIA’s inaction towards Max Verstappen for allegedly pushing Lewis Hamilton off the track at the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix effectively “legitimized” and encouraged his aggressive driving style. This behavior has attracted attention during the last two racing weekends in Austin and Mexico.

During the United States Grand Prix, some argued that Verstappen forced Norris off the track, prompting Norris to overtake outside the track limits while Verstappen also crossed the white lines. However, only Norris was given a 5-second time penalty, which moved him from third to fourth behind Verstappen. The FIA ​​ruling was widely criticized as biased and inconsistent.

The following weekend at the Autódromo Hermanos, Rodríguez Norris tried to overtake Verstappen from the outside on lap 10 at Turn 4, with most of his McLaren MCL38 alongside, which should have left room for racing under F1’s overtaking guidelines. Instead, Verstappen forced him wide. Shortly afterwards, at Turn 7, Verstappen pushed Norris again, ending his run outside the white lines. For each incident, Verstappen received a 10-second penalty and an additional two penalty points added to his Super License for the Turn 4 maneuver.

Wolff insisted the incident from the 2021 race in Brazil went unpunished when Verstappen forced himself and Hamilton off the track during a fierce battle for the lead at the Descida do Lago corner just after the final pit stops. Although stewards admitted the incident, they refused to open an investigation – a choice that deeply frustrated Mercedes and the seven-time champion.
Claiming that the 2021 incident encouraged the Dutchman to continue driving in the same way as he was not penalized for it, the Mercedes team principal he stated: :

“I think there was a time when some stewards had an opinion and because it wasn’t penalized it basically legitimized it.

“It was fair enough for any driver who drives within the rules and uses the margins given to him by the steward.

“Late braking and taking the other car off the track while driving off the track is no longer allowed, it’s not allowed and I think it’s good for racing.”

However, Wolff believes that the fines imposed in Mexico set a strong “precedent”, making it clear that the overtaking car on the outside line should be given space. Added:

“I always say that drivers or people who have driven race cars know exactly what happened.

“You know when someone releases the brakes too late and pulls you into a corner, pushing you out from your first days in go-karts.

“You know you can’t survive outside if you’re not in front, so I think the rules are really clear and the drivers know it, but everyone is trying to push it.

“And if you get away with it, that’s the new limit, so will that change? Of course.

“I think there is a precedent now and others have received penalties in Mexico, so a precedent has been set and from now on you have to leave room on the outside of the corner if there is a car next to you. “