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F1 gives Max Verstappen ‘free pass’ in Mexico City GP controversy

Posted on by Pranco
F1 gives Max Verstappen ‘free pass’ in Mexico City GP controversy

Damon Hill believes Formula 1 regulations gave Max Verstappen a ‘free pass’ after the Red Bull racer’s umpteenth controversial incident in the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The Dutchman has been embroiled in controversy in recent rounds Verstappen He continually pushes the boundaries of what he considers within the guidelines of the FIA to race in Formula 1. It becomes a particular theme as the 27-year-old battles for victory.

Despite being a three-time drivers’ champion, Verstappen often underperforms when racing wheel-to-wheel against a competitive rival driver from another team. Throughout his career at the top of motorsport, questions have remained about his ability to fight cleanly and fairly.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands drives the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on track during the final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico and...
Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

F1 rules gave Max Verstappen a ‘free pass’ to force Carlos Sainz off the field at the Mexican GP

Lewis Hamilton has learned the hard way that Verstappen will push the boundaries in his desperation to stay ahead of a title rival in 2021. The Mercedes driver was forced off the road at Imola, Barcelona and most importantly Brazil in a huge but controversial title fight that year.

This term it has been so Lando Norris who has learned the extremes Verstappen will go to in his quest to stay ahead in a title fight. The McLaren And Red Bull duo first came into contact during the Austrian Grand Prix when Verstappen hit Norris and saw that the Brit had to retire.

READ MORE: The life of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen outside F1, from fortune to girlfriend

Controversy also continued to surround the Dutchman in Austin, Texas Norris received a five-second time penalty for overtaking Verstappen outside the circuitdespite the Red Bull ace forcing him off on lap 52. Verstappen had also escaped punishment for forcing Norris to leave at L1.

After escaping penalties at the American Grand Prix, Verstappen felt he could get away with forcing Carlos Sainz off at the beginning of the GP of Mexico Cityalso. He left pole-sitting Ferrari There was no room on the outside as the Dutchman steamed through and took the lead from second on the grid.

For HillVerstappen made ‘no effort’ to give Sainz the space that the Ferrari driver deserved at the start of the Mexico City GP. But the 1996 Formula 1 champion adds that the Red Bull CEO was not obliged to leave room, as the FIA ​​racing guidelines leave room to the state.

“So in Turn 1 Max made no effort to give Carlos any space. And why would he?” Hill noted on X (formerly Twitter). “The rules give you a free pass. C’est la guerre.”

Max Verstappen received two 10-second time penalties for forcing Lando Norris off the track

Hill ended his message with the French phrase C’est la guerre, which means ‘war’ in English, to further emphasize his feelings about Verstappen’s overtake on Sainz at the start of the Mexico City GP. It was also not the last controversial moment in which the Red Bull racer became involved.

READ MORE: The five worst moments from Max Verstappen’s career in Formula 1

Verstappen continued to try to play jump rope under the regulations when Norris attempted to steal P2 shortly after Sainz passed on lap 9 with DRS. The Briton saw an opportunity to stay ahead of his title rival on the L10 with DRS in Turn 4. But Verstappen forced Norris off the road again.

Verstappen once again simply ran Norris off the road at Turn 7, as he immediately tried to get ahead of the Bristol-born pilot again. The Dutchman made no attempt to stay on track as he shot the inside of the McLaren, earning one of the two 10-second time penalties he earned.

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