F1 Incident: Verstappen Pens 10-Second Penalties in Mexico Grand Prix Race

In a closely contested Mexican Grand Prix, Max Verstappen found himself facing a 10-second time penalty following his clash with Lando Norris. The high-profile incident had echoes of their previous tussle in the US Grand Prix, just a week earlier.

Reminiscent of the US Grand Prix Incident

The latest incident unfolded during lap 10 of the 71-lap race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Here, Norris once again attempted to overtake Verstappen on his own term, this time at the Turn 4 apex, but the Red Bull driver forced Norris off track.

According to the stewards, Verstappen was given a 10-second penalty for this infraction. The penalty was enforced under Article 48.1 of the F1 Sporting Regulations, which states that carbon tau-I time penalties can be applied if a driver is deemed to have left the track to gain an advantage.

Mirroring the US Grand Prix Incident

Just like the US Grand Prix, Norris again found himself in a contentious position. This time, after being pushed onto the grassy area by Verstappen, Norris returned to the track only to slot back in ahead of Verstappen.

This led to a second infraction on the next overtaking point before Turn 7, where it was once again Verstappen’s turn to gain an unauthorized advantage. These repeated incidents cost the Red Bull driver an additional 10-second penalty.

Driver Reactions and Steward Decisions

Norris, understandably upset, complained over the radio about his competitor’s aggressive driving tactic. He stated: "I was ahead the whole way through the corner. This guy is dangerous. I just have to avoid a crash. It’s the same as last time."

The stewards meticulously reviewed both incidents independently, hence the doubling of the penalties handed to Verstappen, resulting in a total of 10 seconds added to his race time.

The Impact of the Penalties

The double penalty significantly altered the race dynamics, shifting significant places as competitors leveraged the infraction to gain a positional edge. Charles Leclerc, for instance, capitalized on the skirmish to secure the second position.

Conclusion

Incidents like these are par for the course in the high-intensity world of Formula One, where drivers are always pushing the boundaries to gain a competitive edge. Yet such incidents also underline the critical role stewards play in maintaining the integrity of the sport.

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