McLaren Slams Verstappen After Mexico Penalties: "It's a Bit Unbelievable"
The Mexican Grand Prix was a thrilling race filled with drama, and a large part of that drama revolved around Max Verstappen and the penalties he received. After finishing in second place, Verstappen was hit with a three-place grid penalty for the next race, and a two-point penalty on his driver's championship points. This decision left many, including McLaren, fuming.
The Controversial Incident
The penalty stemmed from Verstappen's actions during the race's final laps. After being overtaken by Sergio Perez for the lead, Verstappen aggressively defended his position, leading to several near-collisions. This included an incident with Lewis Hamilton, where Verstappen appeared to deliberately brake in front of the Mercedes driver, nearly causing a significant crash.
McLaren's Outrage
McLaren, who finished the race with Lando Norris in third, didn't hold back in criticizing Verstappen's driving. "It's a bit unbelievable," said McLaren's team principal Andreas Seidl, visibly frustrated with the stewards' decision. "If you look at what happened [in the final laps], there's no doubt that Max was trying to push the limits of what is possible."
Seidl further emphasized his concerns, stating, "There's a responsibility on drivers to avoid dangerous situations," adding, "And it's clear that what Max was doing was not within the boundaries of fair and safe racing."
Verstappen's Response
Verstappen, while accepting the penalties, was quick to defend his actions. He argued that he was simply trying to race hard and push his limits, and that he never intended to cause any harm. "I'm not going to say I am happy about the penalty, but I understand why it was given," said Verstappen.
However, his response was seen by many as an attempt to downplay the seriousness of his actions. The aggressive driving style has been a trademark of Verstappen throughout his career, and this incident has reignited the debate about whether he needs to temper his approach for the sake of safety.
What's Next?
The Mexican Grand Prix's penalties will likely be a topic of conversation for the remainder of the season. While Verstappen maintains that he was simply racing hard, his aggressive driving style raises questions about whether his actions are within the acceptable bounds of racing. McLaren's strong condemnation of Verstappen's behavior adds further fuel to the fire, highlighting the growing concern among teams about his driving. It remains to be seen whether this will have any impact on Verstappen's future actions and whether he will adjust his aggressive driving approach.