“Max Verstappen Under Fire: Accusations Spark Debate in F1 Community”

“Max Verstappen Under Fire: Accusations Spark Debate in F1 Community”

The championship protagonists had another tense battle in Mexico, with Max Verstappen losing out as he was given 20 seconds worth of penalties over two separate incidents while battling Norris.

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Lando Norris: Mexico was not fair, clean racing
In the early stages of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Verstappen was attempting to hold back the attacking Norris as it became clear the Red Bull was lacking race pace relative to their rivals.

An attack from Norris into Turn 4 saw Verstappen run the McLaren out wide and across the grass, with the Dutch driver slotting in behind Norris as they regrouped. Approaching Turn 7, Verstappen dived up the inside of Norris but carried too much speed – resulting in both cars having to go off into the escape area and allowing Charles Leclerc through.

Norris duly went on to finish second, with Verstappen coming home sixth after serving 20 seconds worth of time penalties. He was given two separate 10-second penalties for the incidents.

The furore came just days after a contentious battle between the pair in the United States went in Verstappen’s favour, as Norris was given a penalty for overtaking Verstappen off-track at Turn 12 of COTA.

Speaking after taking second place in Mexico, Norris opened up on losing time in his first stint due to Verstappen’s defending – time that may have cost him a chance at catching race winner Carlos Sainz before the chequered flag.

Trailing Verstappen by 57 points going into the Mexico weekend, Norris said it was clear to him that Verstappen is no longer concerned about the results he achieves but only about beating Norris by any means necessary.

“I don’t think I need to say much,” Norris said.

“Yeah, I think it’s pretty self-explanatory on what happened. You know, I did everything I’ve been told in terms of what the rules are and the guidelines and all of this stuff, yet it just wasn’t to be. And, of course, he got some penalties for that.

“But, you know, I think… I always, like I said before in some of the interviews, go into every race expecting a tough battle with Max. It’s clear that it doesn’t matter if he wins or second, his only job is to beat me in the race. And he’ll sacrifice himself to do that, like he did today.

“But I want to have good battles with him. I want to have those tough battles like I’ve seen him have plenty of times. But fair ones. It’s always going to be on the line.