Max Verstappen had a casual response to the two 10-second time penalties he received after a heated battle with Lando Norris at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Despite the penalties and an unexpected lack of pace, Verstappen managed a recovery drive to secure a sixth-place finish, maintaining his lead in the drivers’ standings. However, the race was a challenging one for Verstappen, with Ferrari now overtaking Red Bull for second place in the constructors’ championship with four races left in the season.
Penalties and Recovery Drive
Verstappen initially took the lead from Carlos Sainz but soon found himself in a fierce battle with Norris. The two incidents led to Verstappen being penalized for forcing Norris off track and gaining an advantage. These penalties, totaling 20 seconds, were served during a pit stop, which significantly impacted his race position. Asked about his reaction, Verstappen commented, “At the end of the day, if you agree with it or not, it doesn’t matter because the penalties are given.”
Struggling with Tyre Performance and Pace
More concerning to Verstappen was Red Bull’s lack of pace and tire struggles in the race, which prevented him from challenging Ferrari and McLaren. He admitted that their performance had been underwhelming, saying, “My biggest problem was that we just had no pace… couldn’t really attack, and I couldn’t follow Ferrari and McLaren.” When asked if he expected these issues, he noted that he had anticipated a challenging race.
Verstappen’s Response to Future Moves
When asked if he would change his approach to overtaking after this race, Verstappen joked, “Maybe get a drink in the pit stop! The engine was off for 20 seconds so I had enough time.” While this reflects his lighthearted attitude toward the situation, the battle for both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships remains intense.
Looking Ahead in the Championship Race
With Ferrari overtaking Red Bull in the constructors’ standings and Norris closing in on Verstappen’s lead, the next few races are set to be critical. Verstappen will need to bring his best as the season’s final rounds approach, facing fierce competition from Ferrari, McLaren, and his championship rivals.
Will Verstappen adjust his racing strategy to avoid penalties, or will he stick with his aggressive style? Only time will tell as the season heats up in the final stretch.
