McLaren: Verstappen penalties shows ‘authority’ restored in F1

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella commended the FIA stewards’ handling of Sunday’s racing incidents in the Mexico City Grand Prix, insisting that the penalties imposed on Max Verstappen demonstrate that “authority exists” once again in Formula 1.

Verstappen received two 10-second time penalties following clashes with Lando Norris, signaling a firm stance by race stewards after recent criticisms about the inconsistent application of rules.

The incidents between Verstappen and Norris occurred on the same lap, with the first altercation unfolding at Turn 4. Norris attempted to overtake Verstappen around the outside, but was pushed wide, forcing him off track.

Although Norris reclaimed the position, Verstappen retaliated aggressively at Turn 7, leading both drivers to lose places to Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen’s actions resulted in a cumulative 20-second penalty, a move that Stella interpreted as a sign of the FIA’s evolving stance.

“In my opinion, and this is a comment that I make straight out of the race, so there may be some more details in terms of looking at the incidents and the interpretation of the incidents, but in my view, the penalties seemed to be consistent with the application of the guidelines and in relation to those kind of incidents,” the McLaren chief explained after the race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, quoted by Motorsport Week. 

“So I think from this point of view, this has been a positive day because it shows that authority exists. It shows that the stewards have done a good job.”

• Read also: Norris ‘knew what to expect’ from Verstappen in Mexico fight

Stella pointed out that this shift comes after intense scrutiny following the United States Grand Prix, where Verstappen’s near misses with Norris weren’t penalized, sparking anger within McLaren.

The Italian highlighted that the stewarding body seems to have listened to recent feedback, resulting in more consistent rulings.

“A good job which surely comes from constant review like we do in anything in Formula 1, you review and then you improve,” Stella added.

“Certainly, as a team, we know there are things we can review and improve.

“To me it looks like this process has happened also in terms of stewarding, in terms of the FIA having taken some feedback constructively on board and we appreciate this.

“Not as a team but as part of the F1 community, I feel like I have to thank the FIA and the stewards.”

Stella also took the opportunity to reinforce McLaren’s approach to racing, addressing suggestions that Norris needs to adopt a more aggressive style.

“I think Lando can look at his own racing, often looking at the half-empty glass in relation to what he could do,” he explained.

“Our conversations in our internal reviews have been very clear: Lando, ‘we like, we approve, we confirm the way you go racing’.

“It’s not for you to go there and try to find justice yourself.

“You go racing in a fair, sporting way like you do and then there needs to be a third party which is the stewarding that will say whether those maneuverers are correct or not.”

Stella praised Norris’s commitment to clean racing, reinforcing that the team fully supports his approach.

“Don’t be desperate, you don’t have to prove anything, you go racing fair and square. This is what we want from Lando.

“This is what Lando wants from himself, and I think it was important that the team kind of confirms that’s what we want from you Lando.

“That’s how we want to go racing at McLaren and for a driver driving a McLaren car.”

For Stella, the penalties issued to Verstappen signaled a step in the right direction for Formula 1.

“That’s why it’s a positive day because I think it has proven that it’s good to race hard, but it can’t be resolved on track by the two drivers,” he said.

“It needs a third party, it needs the authority, so we are completely happy with the way Lando has gone racing before.

“Any time I’ve read these types of headlines, I maybe need to have a conversation with him and reassure him, ‘don’t worry, it will be alright, time is a gentleman’.”

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