Red Bull confirms potential right to review Max Verstappen’s penalties in Mexico

Red Bull Team Leader Christian Horner confirmed that his team will not be filing a petition for the right to review either of the two 10-second penalties imposed on Max Verstappen during the Mexico City Grand Prix. Horner reiterated the importance of drivers fully understanding the rules and called for greater clarity in racing rules in the future.

The past two weekends have sparked heated debate over the fairness of Lando Norris’ punishment at the United States Grand Prix and the need for clearer rules. Post-Austin, there is increasing pressure on the FIA ​​to clarify and, if necessary, revise the rules to discourage driving that exploits gray areas. Actually, 19 out of 20 Formula 1 drivers called for immediate action, insisting there was no reason to wait until 2025 for legislative changes.

At the Circuit of the Americas, Norris was penalized after Verstappen sent him off the track and returned with an improved position. However, in Mexico it was Verstappen who received two penalties after stewards found him at fault for separate incidents with Norris at turns 4 and 7 on lap 10 of the 71-lap race.

While Red Bull were expected to challenge the penalties through a right of review request, Horner admitted the team would not challenge the verdict. However, he said that amid the controversy, the elephant in the room needed to be dealt with if clarity was to be achieved for future Grands Prix. Speaking to MediaHe said:

“We will not activate this right or verify this.

“The most important question is: how will racing be done in the future?

“I’m not sure it’s clear to drivers or some aspects of it that you just have to keep your nose ahead at the apex point, which means you’re going to do this: you’re going to let off the brakes and pick up speed to get to that point and say: “I’m ahead of you at this point,” even if you didn’t make the pass.”

Horner defended Verstappen by drawing a distinction between the US Grand Prix incident and the first collision in Mexico, reiterating the need for clear rules of engagement to prevent similar problems in the future. He added:

“It’s a little different because they both came off the track last week and you can’t gain an advantage by going off the track.

“It’s different because Max didn’t actually go off the track. He remained within the perimeter.

“It’s something that really needs to be sorted out because there’s some great racing going on and I think it’s important that the entry rules are fair and don’t give an advantage to the outside line.

“In the history of motorsport, being on the outside has always been a riskier place, but now it’s almost an advantage because all you have to do is keep your nose ahead at the moment of the turn, whether you’re going to turn into a corner or not.”