Ex-F1 champion demands new rule to avoid Max Verstappen-Lando Norris US GP incident
Jenson Button called on the FIA to change rules to prevent incidents like the recent clash between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
Follow Us
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (via Planetf1)
The US GP saw Max Verstappen and Lando Norris clash in a fierce battle for third place, sparking controversy. Both drivers pushed each other to the limit, turning the race into a heated showdown.
Former F1 world champion Jenson Button has called for a rule change in response to the intense duel between Verstappen and Norris. He believes that the current regulations may need to evolve after witnessing their ambiguous fight on track.
During the second half of the race, the Brit closed the gap on Verstappen, leading to a multi-lap duel. On lap 52, he managed to get ahead of the Dutchman, showcasing his impressive driving skills. However, the move occurred off-track, and Max Verstappen maintained position at the apex, prompting stewards to intervene.
As a result, Lando Norris received a five-second time penalty for the incident. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make up those five seconds in the remaining laps of the race. Consequently, the 27-year-old secured the third position as the race ended.
we saw it with many fights on the track at that corner. Guys overtaking, putting it down the inside and then just driving the other guy off the track. If it was Monaco they wouldn’t do that.
Jenson Button told SkySportsF1
Jenson Button highlighted that similar incidents frequently occur at that corner, where drivers overtake and push others off. Verstappen also experienced a similar situation in 2017 when attempting to overtake Kimi Raikkonen.
We need a rule that you cannot push another car completely off the track and then I think we would have some better racing and we wouldn’t have to keep talking about this.
Jenson Button added
Christian Horner asserts ‘rules are rules’ over Max Verstappen and Lando Norris duel at the US GP
The moment Lando Norris passed while off the track, it was obvious he would get a penalty. The FIA has a strict rule stating that any overtaking done off the track results in a penalty.
McLaren made a mistake by not advising the Briton to let Verstappen go past him again so he could try to overtake properly later. Team principal Christian Horner responded by acknowledging the frustration of the button.
Horner emphasized that the rules in F1 are clear and must be followed and all drivers are aware of the rules, so they race accordingly. Verstappen recognized that Norris’s off-track overtake was illegal and immediately informed his team over the radio.
At the end of the day the rules are the rules. The drivers know that and they’re driving accordingly. Max was acutely aware that as soon as Lando went over that white line, off track and overtook, that that’s illegal. He was straight on the radio.
Christian Horner responded to Jenson Button
Even though the decision favored Red Bull, McLaren and Lando Norris felt it was unfair because they believed Verstappen had done the same thing. The Briton stood his ground, insisting he was right not to give the position back to the three-time world champion.
Stay Updated!
Gaurang Kadam
(535 Articles Published)