Max Verstappen’s aggressive defensive driving against Lando Norris has sparked a renewed debate about the fairness of his tactics.
Their fierce contest at the United States Grand Prix, where both drivers went off track, has led to questions regarding the FIA’s enforcement of racing rules.
The key moment occurred on lap 52 when Norris tried to overtake Verstappen on the outside of Turn 12.
While Norris initially gained an advantage, he received a five-second penalty that pushed him behind Verstappen, a critical decision in their championship rivalry.
Norris and McLaren argued that Verstappen forced him off the track by not leaving enough room for a safe maneuver.
Conversely, Verstappen’s supporters, including Red Bull, deemed the penalty appropriate, asserting that Norris had gained an advantage by leaving the track.
McLaren views Verstappen’s driving as part of a broader issue with his defensive tactics.
F1 pundit Andrew Benson explained to BBC Sport that McLaren believes Verstappen pushed Norris off the track, arguing this reflects a recurring strategy of his—driving aggressively to the inside and forcing opponents wide.
McLaren contends that this approach is an unfair manipulation of the rules, highlighting a potential flaw in the racing guidelines.
Benson noted that these concerns are likely to be addressed in the drivers’ briefing at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix.
