F1 Drama: McLaren’s Zak Brown Calls Verstappen’s Mexico GP Moves “Ridiculous” Amid Penalties

The recent Mexico Grand Prix featured intense racing and controversial penalties. McLaren chief Zak Brown criticized Max Verstappen’s “ridiculous” racing moves after officials penalized the Red Bull driver. Brown expressed support for the FIA’s penalties, although he suggested that Verstappen’s actions warranted stricter measures. This article explores the incident, penalties, and responses from the F1 community.

Zak Brown Condemns Verstappen’s Aggressive Moves

McLaren’s Zak Brown praised the race stewards for penalizing Verstappen. However, he also noted that the 20-second penalty might be too lenient. Brown stated that Verstappen’s aggressive tactics, which affected Lando Norris, had “gotten ridiculous.” In his opinion, Formula 1 needs cleaner, fairer racing going forward.

“It’s probably not enough… enough is enough,” Brown stated, while supporting the FIA’s decision.

Verstappen’s Driving Style and Penalty

Verstappen’s tactics during the race included pushing Norris off the track, echoing similar moves he used the previous week at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The stewards issued two penalties, totaling 20 seconds, for his actions. Still, Verstappen managed to finish sixth. Many fans and drivers have since debated the appropriateness of his aggressive driving.

How Verstappen’s Penalties Impacted the Championship

Verstappen’s penalties trimmed his championship lead by 10 points, leaving him 47 points ahead. In the Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari overtook Red Bull to claim second, moving Red Bull down to third. McLaren, meanwhile, held onto the lead. Verstappen acknowledged the penalties as “quite big” but focused on Red Bull’s recent struggles with pace, which he saw as a larger concern.

Lando Norris Responds: “Not Clean Driving”

Norris expressed disappointment over the incidents. While he anticipated Verstappen’s moves, he noted frustration with what he viewed as unsportsmanlike behavior.

“I respect Max as a driver… but this is not very clean driving in my opinion,” Norris said.

Red Bull’s Reaction to the Penalties

Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team boss, defended Verstappen, calling the penalties excessive. He suggested that clearer guidelines for overtaking would help avoid future issues. Horner described the penalties as “dangerous territory” and voiced concern over potential conflicts about racing standards.

Verstappen Looks to Improve: “We’ll Do Better”

Verstappen seemed unfazed by the points loss, showing confidence in Red Bull’s ability to recover. While he admitted that this was “a really bad day,” he pointed out that Red Bull’s lack of pace was the main factor behind his incidents with Norris.

“The biggest problem today… is the race pace, which was really not good,” Verstappen noted.

The controversies surrounding Max Verstappen at the Mexico Grand Prix highlight the ongoing tension between aggressive tactics and fair racing. Calls from F1 officials and teams for stricter guidelines signal that this debate isn’t over. The drama of the Mexico Grand Prix left fans, drivers, and teams with much to consider as the season continues.