McLaren group principal Andrea Stella says Max Verstappen’s over-aggressive driving towards Lando Norris in the course of the Austrian Grand Prix was a consequence of the Dutchman not having been penalised for driving equally towards Lewis Hamilton in 2021.
Verstappen was trying to carry off Norris for the lead on the Crimson Bull Ring on Sunday when the pair made contact with eight laps to go, leaving the McLaren with race-ending harm and the world champion to complete fifth after pitting with a puncture.
The stewards issued Verstappen with a 10-second penalty for inflicting the collision, having determined that he didn’t go away Norris enough room on the skin of Flip 3.
“I see that the complete inhabitants on the planet would know who’s accountable apart from a gaggle of individuals,” Stella informed Sky Sports activities F1.
“However the issue behind it’s that in case you do not tackle these items truthfully, they may come again. They’ve come again at this time as a result of they weren’t addressed correctly prior to now when there have been some fights with Lewis that wanted to be punished in a harsher method.
“You study now to race in a sure method, which we will take into account truthful and sq..”
Verstappen made a number of controversial strikes throughout his massively intense 2021 title battle with Hamilton, with contact between the pair occurring at Imola, Silverstone, Monza and Jeddah, whereas the Brit was compelled to take evasive motion to keep away from one other collision in Brazil.
Requested by Sky Sports activities F1’s Ted Kravitz whether or not he was referring to the Brazil 2021 incident between Verstappen and Hamilton, Stella replied: “Sure, there may be many episodes.
“The very fact is that now we have a lot respect for Crimson Bull, a lot respect for Max – they do not want to do that. It is a solution to virtually compromise your popularity. Why would you try this?”
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Anthony Davidson was on the SkyPad to present his verdict on whether or not Max Verstappen or Lando Norris was at fault for the crash which noticed each of them give up the prospect of profitable
With Verstappen ending fifth and Norris failing to attain any factors, the previous’s world championship lead over the latter on the high of the standings grew to 81 factors.
Verstappen shouldn’t be the primary nice of the game to have confronted scrutiny over his driving fashion, with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher having additionally been criticised relating to a number of high-profile collisions throughout his profession.
Requested if Verstappen’s fashion was that of a tough racer that needs to be accepted, Stella replied: “I believe the stewards discovered that Max was totally accountable on this episode. So it is not about racing in a drivers’ method, it is about racing inside the rules.
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McLaren driver Lando Norris was left fuming after his collision with Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen noticed him should retire from the Austrian Grand Prix
“And the rules have to be enforced in a method that’s efficient, as a result of when a automobile is out of the race as a consequence of this accident, the punishment must be proportionate to the result.
“And we had twice earlier than that episode transferring below braking. So I believe it is simply evident now we have to implement the way in which to go racing as a result of we need to have enjoyable, we need to get pleasure from.”
‘No correlation’ – Wolff defends Verstappen
Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff disagreed with Stella’s evaluation of Verstappen’s driving, arguing it “takes two to tango”.
Wolff was crucial of Verstappen’s driving on a number of events in the course of the 2021 season, however the Mercedes boss has been on a current appeal offensive with the Dutchman as he makes an attempt to prise him away from Crimson Bull.
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Highlights of the Austrian Grand Prix from Crimson Bull Ring
“I do not suppose you may take this conclusion,” Wolff stated in his post-race press convention.
“It has been so lengthy, in a method, from our aspect. We simply must… we’re in a special place at this time, and I believe he’s. And it takes two to tango.
“I have never seen the race, to be sincere. I have never seen Lando’s and Max’s race. I have never seen how all of that happened. So, I first want to observe it earlier than having an opinion, however I would not see that as a giant consequence of 2021 not having been managed effectively, to what’s taking place in 2024.
“I do not suppose there is a correlation.”
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