Max Verstappen was penalised twice for aggressive moves against Lando Norris, who reduced the championship gap; Sainz claims the win for Ferrari.

Lando Norris called Max Verstappen “dangerous” after a thrilling and contentious Mexico City Grand Prix that saw Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz take a commanding victory. The tension-filled race not only brought Sainz his latest win but also pushed the fierce rivalry between Norris and Verstappen to the forefront, as Verstappen received two separate 10-second penalties for incidents involving Norris.

The penalties came on a single lap after Verstappen forced Norris off the track at Turn Four, followed by a later offence for leaving the track himself and gaining an advantage. Despite these setbacks, Verstappen managed to salvage a sixth-place finish, while Norris secured second place after overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with only nine laps remaining.

Norris’s successful finish cut Verstappen’s lead in the championship to 47 points, raising the stakes as the season nears its conclusion. In post-race comments, Norris did not mince words about Verstappen’s driving, describing his actions as “dangerous” and suggesting that Verstappen’s style warranted closer scrutiny from race officials.

Verstappen’s approach to racing lines has been a point of controversy all season, with similar complaints arising in last weekend’s United States Grand Prix. There, Norris was penalised for running off-track while attempting to overtake Verstappen, who had defended his position aggressively without penalty. Many in the paddock expressed frustration, feeling that Verstappen’s moves pushed the limits of fair play, yet went unpunished due to his leading position in the corners.

The key to Verstappen’s penalties in Mexico lay in the positioning at Turn Four: this time, Norris held a slight advantage at the apex of the corner, which by F1’s racing rules obligated Verstappen to allow him room. Verstappen’s failure to do so led to the first penalty, which was quickly followed by a second for leaving the track and gaining an advantage just a few turns later.

This sequence of events reignited the debate surrounding F1’s racing guidelines, which are due for further review in Qatar in two races’ time. Ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, drivers had raised concerns over Verstappen’s racing conduct in Austin, suggesting the current guidelines allowed too much leeway in incidents where one driver held the apex. These guidelines, many argued, had permitted Verstappen to push the boundaries of fair play with minimal consequence.

While FIA officials maintained that the guidelines were sufficient for the Mexico race, several drivers expressed hope for stricter rulings in future events. Verstappen, however, was dismissive of the discussion, saying, “For me, in terms of racing, nothing changes.” True to his words, Verstappen’s racing on Sunday reflected an unyielding stance, even as his rivals called for a recalibration in racing etiquette.

Sainz’s win for Ferrari added a layer of satisfaction for the team, who have struggled to maintain consistency in recent races. Starting from the pole, Sainz dominated the race with a clear strategy and precise execution, leading comfortably while the Norris-Verstappen battle unfolded behind him. Leclerc’s third-place finish added to Ferrari’s celebration, though he was ultimately unable to defend his position from Norris, who powered past him in the final stretch of the race.

Norris’s remarks after the race suggest that the tension with Verstappen is far from resolved, especially as the title race tightens. The upcoming race in Qatar is expected to bring fresh discussions on what constitutes fair racing conduct, with the FIA set to review guidelines to address precisely the kind of manoeuvres that have characterised Verstappen’s style this season.

As the season edges towards its finale, both Norris and Verstappen will undoubtedly feel the pressure of a shrinking points gap. For now, Verstappen retains the championship lead, but with Norris’s strong performance and vocal criticism, the rivalry is set to continue with even more intensity in the final races.