‘Grey areas’ – Lewis Hamilton demands F1 rule changes after furious Max Verstappen claim
The penalty given to Lando Norris while duelling with Max Verstappen in Austin last weekend was the main talking point on media day ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton led calls for Formula 1 rule changes as he claimed Max Verstappen has been “getting away” with using “grey areas” within the regulations.
The seven-time champion is one of several top racers advocating for changes in the wake of the controversial penalty handed to Lando Norris in Austin last weekend. The McLaren driver was given a five-second penalty for overtaking his title rival by going off track.
You look at other global sports, they have full-time refs, and I am sure that would not be a bad thing for our sport. I experienced it many times with Max. You should not be able to just launch the car up the inside and be ahead and then go off, and still hold the position.”
Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director Russell was penalised for pushing Valtteri Bottas off at the same corner earlier in the Texas race. He was shocked to learn that Verstappen had avoided punishment for a similar incident and thinks a change will be needed if the FIA back the stewards’ decision.
The 39-year-old said: “It has always been a grey area – that is why [Verstappen] has got away with it for so long. You do have inconsistencies on rulings, weekend in, weekend out, obviously depending on which stewards are there. As a sport, we do need to level up in all areas.
Russell said: “I am really interested to see if the FIA believe, having reviewed everything again, if Max should have been penalised for what he did or not. In my view, he should have been penalised. Therefore, there is not really a loophole. If they say, ‘Based on our regulations, he should not have been penalised’, then he is exploring [sic] a loophole.”
