Verstappen is the stewards scapegoat time after time: Enough is enough

Who is ahead when entering the corner? Who is ahead at the apex? And how much right does someone have during a corner? These terms appear in the FIA regulations regarding racing. You will never hear terms like this on a karting track and terms that drivers will never use themselves. They are terms coined to control the sport.

However, the FIA's attempt to control the sport has gone too far. Take, for example, the rule that a driver on the outside is entitled to corner space if he arrives earlier at the entrance to a corner. How should drivers judge this from inside the car? How can you tell at that speed and with those G-forces whether you were just ahead or just behind your rival on the track? You can't.

The rules of racing

Those rules of giving each other space while racing come mainly from the era of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Those two battled hard, and both regularly went over the line with their attack and defence. To manage that inter-team duel, Mercedes, led by Toto Wolff, devised racing rules of engagement, which were adopted by the FIA.

The rules are understandable between teammates, but that is not true for rivals from different teams. In the case of your teammate, you logically leave some margin; after all, you don't want to go off together or both get damaged. However, that's an entirely different duel than with a rival. Then, it is simply about a fair 1-on-1 fight, where the 'normal' rules of racing must be enforced.

Those rules are not about being in front at the apex. Anyone who has raced knows that the driver on the inside determines the course of the corner. He can dictate his line. The other driver can try it around the outside, but you are not in control. By forcing someone on the defensive, however, you get someone off the ideal line and can take advantage of that with a better exit towards the next corner. That game of attack and defence is part and parcel of Formula 1.

Now, F1 drivers themselves seem to be pushing the FIA for new rules. Rules that allow for more racing with each other but also leave room for each other. However, according to George Russell, one driver did not agree to change that yet in 2024. One can guess who that driver was.

Should it be Max Verstappen, he is quite right. In what sport are rules changed during a season? Five races before the end of the season, they want to change the rules because there is one driver who takes full advantage of those rules. Whether the rule is fair or not. Everyone knew about this rule prior to the season, but only now is it a problem.

FIA penalise Verstappen again

Despite the FIA claiming not to adjust the rules yet, it became clear in Mexico that the stewards are listening to those other drivers. A foul that was penalised by five seconds in Austin suddenly became 10 seconds for Verstappen in Mexico. George Russell even admitted he was glad the stewards had listened.

So, the FIA is applying double standards, as has already become clear with Charles Leclerc. Max Verstappen was given community service for using the word 'f***ed' in the press conference. Leclerc already got away with it in Monaco and seems to be getting away again in Mexico. Verstappen was punished immediately and had to go to the stewards; Leclerc was laughed at.

With everything going on, it is not surprising that Verstappen is a bit done with the FIA and Formula 1. The Dutchman has spoken out before about an early departure from F1, and things like this will only strengthen Verstappen's feelings. That way, outspoken drivers are restricted, and only the boring remain. Count your winnings.