Max Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty for colliding with Lando Norris during the Austrian Grand Prix, with one former F1 mechanic accusing him of breaking rules
Red Bull ‘s Max Verstappen has been accused of breaking rules and “immature” driving during Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix chaos.
Ex- Formula 1 mechanic Marc Priestley suggested the Dutchman perhaps should have faced a harsher penalty in one of his favourite races. Verstappen, 26, was slapped with a 10-second penalty and finished fifth in Spielberg after being deemed responsible for a late collision with Lando Norris.
The McLaren driver had to bow out following the turn three clash on lap 64 having kept things close for most of the race. However, things worked out far better for Verstappen as he switched to a new set of tyres before crossing the finish line.
While broadcaster Priestley agreed with the penalty handed to the three-time world champion, he also said it wouldn’t have been unjust if Verstappen had received a stiffer punishment. He even hinted at the Red Bull star potentially violating more rules, including one introduced because of his own actions in the past.
Max Verstappen torn apart as Red Bull star accused of breaking golden rules
Max Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty for colliding with Lando Norris during the Austrian Grand Prix, with one former F1 mechanic accusing him of breaking rull
Ex- Formula 1 mechanic Marc Priestley suggested the Dutchman perhaps should have faced a harsher penalty in one of his favourite races. Verstappen, 26, was slapped with a 10-second penalty and finished fifth in Spielberg after being deemed responsible for a late collision with Lando Norris
The McLaren driver had to bow out following the turn three clash on lap 64 having kept things close for most of the race. However, things worked out far better for Verstappen as he switched to a new set of tyres before crossing the finish line.
While broadcaster Priestley agreed with the penalty handed to the three-time world champion, he also said it wouldn’t have been unjust if Verstappen had received a stiffer punishment. He even hinted at the Red Bull star potentially violating more rules, including one introduced because of his own actions in the past.
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“We saw a disastrous pit stop, which brought Lando Norris back into play,” Priestley commented on his YouTube channel (via the Daily Express ). “We saw questionable strategy decisions, although that might be a little harsh, and we definitely saw some questionable driving from Max Verstappen when he was put under pressure.
“It was almost like we were seeing Verstappen from years gone by when he came [into] the sport, when he faced criticism for the aggressive nature of his driving, the questionable moves, the moving under braking.
They even introduced a rule about not moving under braking [because] of Verstappen, and yet it was Verstappen himself who seemed to breach that rule, although the stewards didn’t seem to agree necessarily, which I find very strange.”
The ‘Verstappen rule’ came into effect in 2016 to help avoid drivers using braking as a defence mechanism, though it was quickly replaced by a more all-encompassing limitation on dangerous and erratic tactics. After Sunday’s race, Verstappen maintained that he didn’t feel any of his moves constituted moving under braking.
Priestley went on to argue Verstappen attempted to “push” Norris off the track after suffering his puncture when it was evident the latter held an advantage. He suggests the championship leader may have dodged further punishment for those actions, reminding fans of the youthful Verstappen temperament.
“Lando at that stage had a bit more grip as his tyre hadn’t let go and yet Max was still desperate to not let him pass,” he added. “Almost it would seem angry it would appear at least, angry after the incident.
“That I think is equally if not more dangerous because that seemed petulant, it seemed like it was in retaliation. Now look, I’m judging this from the outside, but it seemed like the petulance we’ve seen in the past, like an immature Max, which is not something we’ve b
ecome used to in recent times.”
