Red Bull has argued the clashes Max Verstappen was penalised for in Formula 1‘s Mexico Grand Prix weren’t identical to past incidents where he’s avoided sanctions.
Verstappen’s outing unravelled at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez when two close shaves with Lando Norris on Lap 10 landed him separate 10-second penalties.
The Dutchman was deemed to have not given Norris adequate racing room when he pushed his rival wide at Turn 4, while a dive at Turn 7 also received a punishment.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner labelled the opening penalty “harsh” as he resorted to GPS data to allege that Norris wouldn’t have made the corner around the outside.
READ MORE – Red Bull: Lando Norris wasn’t making Turn 4 in Max Verstappen Mexico F1 clash
Horner has cautioned that the rule entitling the driver who is ahead at the apex to the corner provides a dangerous precedent when it comes to wheel-to-wheel battles.
“We won’t activate a right of review on this,” Horner told media including Motorsport Week post-race.
“I think the most important thing is what is the way to go racing going forward.
“Because I’m not sure that it’s clear to the drivers, or certain aspects of it, that you’ve just got to have your nose ahead at the apex point, which means that you’re going to do this.
“You’re going to come off the brakes and carry speed to get to that point and say, ‘I’m ahead at that point in time’. Even though you wouldn’t have made the pass.”
Horner details contrast between recent incidents
Verstappen’s brash racing being clamped down on comes amid criticism having been targeted at the FIA over similar actions not being penalised in the United States.
McLaren was angered in Austin the previous weekend as Verstappen escaped the stewards’ wrath, despite having barged Norris wide at Turn 1 and then also Turn 12.
However, Horner has denied there is a resemblance between the two events as he cited that the clash at Turn 4 in Mexico witnessed Verstappen not leave track limits.
“It’s slightly different, because obviously both of them went off the track last week, and you can’t gain an advantage by passing off-track,” he explained.
“This is different, because Max hasn’t actually gone off the track. He’s stayed within the perimeter.
“It’s something that really does need to get tidied up moving forward.
“There’s great racing going on, and it’s just important that the rules of engagement are fair, rather than giving an advantage to the outside line,
which is always, in the history of motorsport, being on the outside has always been the more risk place to be.
“Now, it’s almost the advantage because all you’ve got to do is have your nose ahead at the point they turn in, irrelevant if you’re going to make the corner or not.”
Horner fears F1 could become ‘overcomplicated’
Verstappen’s antics ending unpunished at the Circuit of the Americas incited discussions among the drivers that will now lead to the FIA revising its racing guidelines.
Horner is adamant Verstappen will continue to drive to the limit of the regulations, as he echoed his driver’s concern that the regulations might become overregulated.
“Max will always drive aggressively to what he perceives as the regulations,” he added.
“When you step over that mark, then of course you’ll get a penalty.
I just fear that we’re perhaps overcomplicating it.
“All I would do is encourage there is a constructive discussion between the drivers and the driver steward to say, ‘OK, we’re going to have another four hotly contested races. What is and isn’t acceptable?'”
READ MORE – McLaren: Max Verstappen’s Mexico penalties show ‘authority exists’ again in F1
