Red Bull Chief responds to Max Verstappen’s ‘heavy’ penalties during the Mexican Grand Prix

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has expressed his disapproval of the penalties imposed Max Verstappen during the Mexican Grand Prix. Verstappen, known for his aggressive driving style, was penalized twice: first for pushing his rival Lando Norris out of bounds and then for leaving the bounds and gaining an advantage.

Horner described the penalties as ‘harsh’, suggesting that current racing rules are unclear, especially when it comes to aggressive driving that blurs the lines of acceptability on the track.

“Max left the track at turn four and then at turn seven. Lando opened the door very late and both ran away from there,” Horner explained in response to the incidents that led to Verstappen’s penalties. Sky Sports F1.

The race took place during the Mexico City Grand Prix, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz taking victory. From second on the grid, Verstappen made an impressive start, overtaking the Spaniard in the first corner. However, his lead was short-lived, primarily after Sainz overtook him following a safety car, but also due to a series of penalties that drastically affected his race.

“The problem is, I think we’re going to get into very dangerous territory: At what point is a dive bomb going to be OK?” Horner wondered. “I think the FIA ​​and the drivers really need to sit down and decide what is acceptable and what is not. I thought two 10-second penalties today were a bit on the harsh side.”

The Red Bull chief is calling for a more explicit dialogue between the FIA ​​and the drivers to refine what is allowed during races. This reflects ongoing debates within Formula 1 over the consistency and interpretation of rules surrounding aggressive driving, especially given previous controversies involving Verstappen, such as similar incidents at the United States Grand Prix.

Lando Norris managed to secure a podium place and finished second among the Ferrari drivers. His rivalry with Verstappen has been a defining story of the 2024 season, with Norris regularly clashing with the Dutch driver. After the race, Norris commented on the dangerous driving:

“I was at the front all the way through the bend. This man is dangerous. It’s the same as last time. I’ll be right in the wall.”

While Ferrari and McLaren took advantage of their day, Red Bull faced challenges not only on penalties, but also with their overall pace throughout the race.

“You must always stick to the rules. We will watch and learn from this race, but more for us today was that we just didn’t have the pace. That’s what our focus will be on for the next five days. ‘, Horner admitted.

The results of the Mexican Grand Prix have significant implications for the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. Ferrari’s victory, driven by Carlos Sainz and supported by the efforts of Charles Leclerc, means the Scuderia now leads Red Bull in the constructors’ standings. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s setback adds more pressure in the battle for the Drivers’ Championship as every point now becomes crucial as he fends off Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.