The FIA changes its verdict at turn 4 regarding Verstappen
Initially penalized with two 10-second penalties during the race, Verstappen was given two penalty points on his Superlicence after the race. Now at six points, the Dutchman will have to be careful not to risk a Grand Prix suspension that could be crucial in the title race.
It’s an increasingly intense rivalry. For the second consecutive Grand Prix, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen battled intensely wheel to wheel, but this time it was Verstappen who came out as the loser of this duel. On the tenth lap, the British driver tried to overtake his rival on the outside at turn four. Refusing to give up his position so easily, the triple world champion defended aggressively, even pushing Norris off the track. While the McLaren driver chose to let Sainz back in the lead of the Grand Prix, he decided to stay ahead of Verstappen.
Two heavy penalties for Verstappen
A decision that quickly had consequences as by turn 7, the Red Bull driver dove into the inside of the corner and forced both drivers to go off the track, which benefited, like last week in Austin, Charles Leclerc. While the Hasselt native managed to stay ahead of Norris after this battle, the stewards wasted no time in crushing the hopes of the Dutchman in this race. On the 14th lap, the three-time world champion was handed a first 10-second penalty for forcing another driver off the track.
Regarding Lando Norris, the FIA has decided to spare him from any penalty, deeming that his overtake had been executed in a safe and controlled manner and that Norris could have made the maneuver on the track if he had not been forced off the track by Verstappen. Five laps later, another 10-second penalty was imposed on the Dutch driver for going off track at turn 8 and gaining an advantage.
Points lost on his Super License.
Finally sixth in the race, the Dutchman’s difficult weekend unfortunately did not end with a checkered flag for him. After the race, the stewards once again looked into the two incidents between Norris and Verstappen. Although initially only time penalties were imposed, the stewards ultimately reconsidered their decision regarding turn four. The former Toro Rosso driver was given two additional penalty points for a violation of Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2 b) of the International Sporting Code.
The FIA also wanted to explain this decision. « Norris was trying to overtake Verstappen on the outside of turn 4. Norris was in front of Verstappen at the entry, apex, and exit of the corner when he started to be forced off the track. The stewards believe that the maneuver was carried out safely and in a controlled manner, and that Norris could have completed the maneuver on the track if he had not been forced off the track by Verstappen. Norris cut the corner but immediately gave back the position he had gained to Sainz. » As for turn 8, the decision was different, with the Formula 1 governing body considering that the Dutchman had not deliberately chosen to push the McLaren driver off the track.
« Following the incident at turn four, Verstappen tried to overtake Norris on the inside at turn eight. Verstappen was ahead at the apex of turn eight and would have been entitled to space to race. However, he was unable to complete the maneuver on the track, left the track, and retained the lasting advantage by gaining the position, accidentally forcing Norris off the track. The penalty is the standard penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage. » With now six penalty points on his Super Licence, the Dutchman can no longer afford to be as aggressive, risking a Grand Prix suspension at the end of the season.
A potential outcome that would be disastrous for Verstappen in his championship battle against Norris, especially since the Briton, with his second place finish this weekend, has closed the gap to just 47 points and is not ready to give up in the title race.
