Lewis Hamilton believes the “grey areas” in Formula 1 rules mean Max Verstappen has “taken so long” to defend track positions as the drivers prepare to meet on Friday to discuss the Dutchman’s United States GP the incident with Lando Norris.
The media day ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix on Thursday was dominated by the debate surrounding the incident at last Sunday’s race in the United States. fight for the third place.
McLaren has since launched a right-to-review challenge to overturn the decision when a preliminary hearing takes place on Friday at 9.30pm UK time at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
With Formula 1’s overtaking guidelines in place, as well as a consistency in stewards’ decisions and penalties following several other controversial incidents at the weekend in Austin, seven-time world champion Hamilton said the sport needed to “step up in all areas of refereeing”. – and suggested his old title rival’s approach to the defensive position should not be tolerated.
“It’s always been a gray area,” Hamilton said. “That’s why he got away with it for so long.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lando Norris overtakes Max Verstappen for third but appears to have gone off the track after both drifted.
“They’ll probably have to make some adjustments, of course. Also, you have inconsistencies in decisions, on weekends, off weekends, obviously depending on which stewards are there.
“As a sport, we need to raise the bar in all areas. You look at other global sports, they have full-time referees and I’m sure that won’t be a bad thing for our sport.
“I’ve experienced that many times with Max. You shouldn’t be able to just pull the car up the inside and be ahead and then pull away and still hold the position.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Aerial footage from Max Verstappen’s car during the controversial incident with Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 Sao Paulo GP.
Speaking Sky Sports F1Hamilton drew a direct parallel between last Sunday’s controversy and fierce wheel-to-wheel battles with Verstappen during the 2021 title fight, and particularly that year’s race in Brazil.
“It’s interesting that people are talking about it now because the same thing happened to me in 2021,” Hamilton said.
“If you consider Brazil, for example, under braking, you go ahead, but then the car (on the inside) just comes off the brakes and doesn’t turn and you have to go wide. Then they will say: you both swerved but had no choice as you had to avoid the collision.
“Something definitely needs to be done about it because it’s happening a lot now. You shouldn’t be able to get off the brakes, go faster, go off the track and still hold your spot.”
Verstappen. “I always try to get to the corner”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Max Verstappen has spoken out after Lando Norris’ controversial penalty when he overtook him last time out in Austin.
Austin stewards ruled that Norris “lost the right to turn” at Turn 12 because he failed to meet F1’s overtaking guidelines, which say an outside overtaking car like the McLaren was required to. Have the front axle at least next to the front axle of the other vehicle at the apex of the corner and towards the exit.’
Later, both drivers veered off the track on the exit of the corner, but Norris was handed a five-second penalty for “leaving the track and taking a lasting lead” as he got back there, ahead of the Red Bull for position.
Speaking in Mexico on Thursday, Norris reiterated his view that it was Verstappen who was actually at fault, saying: to run on the exit, that’s wrong and I don’t think racing should be that way.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok believes the rules need to be clarified on what constitutes fair overtaking following the incident between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the United States Grand Prix.
Verstappen, however, denied suggestions he was playing by the rule book.
“It’s pretty impressive that people can read my mind,” said the Dutchman, who leads Norris by 57 points in the world championship.
“I always try to create the corner, I didn’t want to look for a shortcut.
“I don’t even know what to answer to these people.”
The drivers will discuss the controversy and stewards’ decisions on Friday
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
After Max Verstappen’s controversial incident with Lando Norris at the United States Grand Prix, Ferrari manager Charles Leclerc said the Dutchman was always “on the edge” of the regulations.
Mercedes’ George Russell, who is director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said the grid’s 20 drivers would discuss the Verstappen-Norris incident and the differing views surrounding it and other recent controversies at a pre-scheduled meeting in Mexico on Friday. in the evening after another driver’s briefing with the FIA race director.
“Between the drivers, we’re going to sit after the driver briefing anyway,” Russell said.
“It was actually planned before the Austin weekend. And of course there’s a lot going on at the moment, especially with the swearing situation (for which Verstappen was penalized at the Singapore GP).
“I think between us we will talk to the FIA and understand their point of view and then we can judge.”
While Russell said F1 stewards have a tough job to do, he also wondered whether permanent officials would improve consistency in decision-making.
“At the end of the day, stewards do the best work,” he added. “They do everything.
“They have a set of guidelines that they follow. But maybe we need to… we’ve talked about consistency before. The only way you will have consistency is if you have the same stewards every race weekend. .
“At the moment they are very experienced, but they are here as almost volunteers. It is not professional paid work. If you look at soccer as an example, although there is still controversy, referees are professionals and that is their full time job. job where they get their income.
Speaking Sky Sports F1Russell said of the role of drivers in shaping the rules of engagement in racing.
“You can never consider every possible scenario, otherwise you’d end up with a 100-page set of regulations. You have to live and learn through these experiences. I think the regulations are generally good. You might need to tweak a little here and there.
“But my personal view is that if there’s a gravel trap on the exit of that corner, or grass or something, no driver is going there and we’re not having this discussion, and it’s been that way for many years. “
Do F1 racing rules need a review? Drivers have their say…
Pierre Gasly, Alpine. “I think Austin emphasized that something definitely needs to change. I think there’s a rule as written and there’s more common sense about how you want to approach racing.
“I think there’s this gray area at the moment that allows us drivers to take advantage of the regulations to approach the race in a kind of unfair way. And I think that’s something that I think we all agree on and will work on with the organization. The FIA on how to improve things, as there have been several incidents that have left us with mixed feelings about the split or the resulting decision, I think we all need some clarity and a little better writing. rules to improve racing for the future.
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas. “I think it also depends a little bit on the track, and obviously Austin, you know, especially Turn 12 is always, every year it’s one of those hot spots where it happens very easily and a lot. Yes, I don’t know. I mean, sometimes it works for you, sometimes it doesn’t, that’s part of the race and we’ll see what we come up with.”
Sergio Perez, Red Bull. “I think Austin is really the worst for him in terms of track layout. Turn 1, Turn 12, even Turn 11 can be quite difficult in that regard. So yes, it can work for you or against you. And I think it’s here. for example, it won’t be a problem.”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari. “I mean, Max has always been within the rules, but that’s what makes racing Max so exciting. And that’s why I really love those fights with him, is because you know he’s never going to let you down. and it will always be within the regulations.
“And that’s what makes those fights so exciting. Having said that, I feel there are a few things I saw in Austin that we may need to take up with the FIA because I think the penalties were a little bit at times as well. It’s brutal and we have to make sure we’re all aligned, the FIA and us drivers, to make sure it’s clear what we can and can’t do.”
Sky Sports F1 live Mexico GP schedule
Friday October 25
19:00. Mexico GP first practice session (session starts at 19:30)
21:00 F1 show
22.45. Mexico City GP second practice (session starts at 23.00)*
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Take a look back at the most dramatic moments from the Mexico City Grand Prix
Saturday October 26
6:15 p.m. Mexico GP third practice session (session starts at 18.30)
21:00. Mexico City GP Qualifying*
22:00. Mexico GP Qualifying*
Sunday October 27
18.30. Grand Prix Sunday. Mexico GP Rally*
20:00. MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
22:00. Checkered flag. Mexico City GP reaction
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event (race meeting on Sunday from 19:30)
Formula 1 America’s triple strike continues this weekend with the Mexico City Grand Prix, with every session live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership. no contract, cancel anytime
