close
close

’19 out of 20′ F1 drivers unite against ‘unfair’ racing after controversies in Austin and Mexico

’19 out of 20′ F1 drivers unite against ‘unfair’ racing after controversies in Austin and Mexico

Mercedes driver George Russelwho is also chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), has revealed that the majority of Formula 1 drivers, 19 of the 20 on the F1 grid, have united against ‘unfair’ racing following controversial incidents at the recent races in Austin and Mexico.

In the United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen is said to have pushed Lando Norris off the track, forcing Norris to cross the track boundaries before Verstappen himself crossed the white lines. Despite this, it was Norris who received a 5-second time penalty, dropping him from third to fourth place behind Verstappen. The FIA’s decision was widely criticized by many as unfair.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton called out Verstappen for exploiting the gray areas of the regulations, as he experienced several times during their intense 2021 season. In Mexico, the Dutchman once again indulged in what many called dangerous driving in two separate encounters with Norris, earning two 10 penalties seconds.

Russell praised the FIA ​​for its firm stance at the Mexico City Grand Prix, revealing that, with the exception of one driver, the entire grid was aligned on the need for immediate regulatory changes. He claimed that quick updates would help clarify the rules, reducing ambiguous areas that could be exploited, rather than waiting until 2025 for adjustments. He told the media:

“I think the stewards fully agree with what needs to change.

“Our view is… I think the biggest discussion is that they wanted to wait until ’25, so it’s something consistent this year. I would say 19 out of 20 drivers said, ‘Well, if it’s not right, bring then make the change today.’ ‘.

“And I’m glad to see that these incidents have been punished and I suspect that if you go further in Brazil, what we saw today (Sunday) and what we saw last week (in Austin), you won’t get away with that come.

‘You assume that it should be easy to change if everyone agrees, but it sometimes seems more difficult than it is when things have to be approved and we have to use a voting app. But like I said, 19 out of 20 we all agree on where it should be.”

Russell went on to suggest that his battle with Hamilton at the Mexican Grand Prix was an ideal example of fair racing, as opposed to the controversial incidents that went ‘beyond sport’. He said:

“It was fun to do the battle and it’s always good when you fight Lewis because it’s hard and it’s fair.

“Right now you’re seeing some maneuvers that just go beyond entertaining or sporting, it’s almost unfair to a certain extent.

“You can say the first one was maybe 60-40. The last one, I haven’t seen anything like that since probably Brazil (2021).”