F1
Stewards don't expect Verstappen to change his driving style against Norris
© Florent Gooden / DPPI
More than 4 days after the events, the incidents involving Max Verstappen et Lando Norris in Mexico are still talked about. Everyone has given their own opinion. The latest is none other than that of Johnny Herbert, former driver in 161 Grand Prix and now member of the college of stewards exercising during race weekends.
The Englishman was in Mexico and was among those who made the decision when studying the Dutchman's rough defenses on his runner-up, before penalizing him by 20 seconds. For this one, Max Verstappen was simply in " horrible state of mind ", fully deserving his double sanction. Will they even have an impact on the way the triple world champion drives?
« They won't stop Max Verstappen from pushing Lando Norris off the track in the future, assured Johnny Herbert toaction network. I don't see Verstappen's driving changing because his main objective is to stop Norris from closing the gap in the championship. We have potentially a lot of interesting races still to come »
As for the sanctions themselves, the man with three Grand Prix victories has no regrets about having imposed them. According to him, " the guidelines were followed ", rejecting any conspiracy theory that he had favored Lando Norris, a Briton and therefore a compatriot. The right decision was made, the 20-second penalty for Verstappen was not severe, he adds. Verstappen's driving style was harsh, especially when he takes a counterpart off the track. It's a definite no. Not just from me but also from current drivers, former drivers and stewards. (...) His intention was to try to enable Classic Ferrari for sale to do the double. I think that's really what Verstappen tried to do, I understand why he did it, but I don't agree with it. And I don't think many people do »
Admiring Max Verstappen's driving in general, Johnny Herbert said: frustrated " to see him act like that. According to him, he has " not to do it, he is so good behind the wheel, and at this stage of the season he just has to try to stay away from the problems and drive as well as he can. " But if he assumes that he will not change despite the penalties, he should prepare himself to have to analyze many new similar situations in the near future.
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Gonzalo Forbes
In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.
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vincent moyet
01/11/2024 at 10:21 a.m.
It's very likely and let's not put everything on Verstappen's back even if he deserves it. The 10 points that McLaren made Norris lose in Hungary and Italy will weigh heavily. On the other hand, without Newey, Max's series of titles threatens him (it suits him very well now), will stop. Very great drivers have slammed the door on their team with the title in their pocket (Lauda, Prost, Piquet, Mansell...), but few are those who have voluntarily made their team lose points for their own benefit. And what if the Verstappen/Red Bull divorce was already looming? As for the dirty tricks, we can cite the same ones, plus Schumacher and Senna (excuse me for the little), but Verstappen reaches new heights in repeat offenses and malice.
Yves-Henri RANDIER
31/10/2024 at 06:04 a.m.
Amazing, isn't it? That being said, he will be crowned World Champion for the 4th consecutive time because he puts his own interests before those of his employer. Other world champions have also done dirty things in order to be crowned...
vincent moyet
31/10/2024 at 04:34 a.m.
I think that apart from a group of die-hard fans who are blinding themselves, everyone understands that Max Verstappen has reached a particularly malicious state of mind, even for his own team, which he is making lose a lot. All the players in F1 have no interest in a championship being manipulated in this way by a driver who has lost all self-control. We will have to crack down very, very hard to prevent him from doing harm. He could perfectly well win this title without ruining his image, that of F1 and that of RB. He has become harmful and we will probably have to go so far as to remove him at one point or another.