An FIA source has clarified why Max Verstappen received a significantly higher penalty in Mexico than Lando Norris did in Texas following speculation the treatment of Verstappen was harsher.
Despite a Ferrari win it was once again the Verstappen and Norris show in the world of Formula 1, as the pair collided on track for the second week running.
Verstappen was handed two 10-second penalties for the incidents involving Norris, as he was deemed to have ‘forced [Norris] off track’ and was guilty of ‘leaving the track and gaining an advantage.’
Following the race, the FIA released an official document confirming Verstappen’s penalties which read: “Norris was ahead of Verstappen at the entry, apex and towards the exit of the turn when he started being forced off track.
“The Stewards believe that the maneuver was done in a safe and controlled manner and that Norris would have been able to make the maneuver on the track had he not been forced off the track by Verstappen.
Romain Grosjean’s 2020 Bahrain GP chassis at the F1 Exhibition
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“Following the incident at Turn 4, Verstappen attempted to pass Norris on the inside at Turn 8.
“He [Verstappen] was not able to complete the maneuver on the track, left the track, and kept the lasting advantage gaining the position, incidentally forcing Norris off the track,” it concluded.
Since the race, there have been questions over the inconsistency of the severity of Verstappen’s penalties when compared to the five-second penalty Norris received at the US Grand Prix.
Red Bull Chief, Helmut Marko stated after the race “it’s a reaction to all the incidents that took place in Austin”.
However, there has since been clarity over why Verstappen received such a harsh punishment through an FIA source via Motorsport.
The source confirmed that the 10-second penalty is the standard level for the kind of maneuvers Verstappen attempted on Norris due to his failed attempt at such an aggressive overtake.
Verstappen Norris- Getty
In regard to Norris’ penalty from the previous race, the source revealed the FIA stewards were more lenient due to the ‘mitigating circumstances’ of Verstappen’s aggressive defense.
The bad news doesn’t appear to have ended for Verstappen as Marko also revealed the Dutchman is set for a grid drop for Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
With four races and two sprints remaining Verstappen leads the driver’s championship by 47 points, meaning there is huge pressure on Norris to win every remaining race.
Lando Norris drives LEGO Technic McLaren P1 around Silvertone
Norris has three wins to his name this season, despite starting on pole six times.
