Max Verstappen has rejected Lando Norris’s recent proposal for Formula 1 drivers to receive a one-race suspension if they are deemed responsible for causing a competitor’s retirement. Verstappen stated that such a penalty would be ‘far too severe’ for racing incidents.
Norris, driving for McLaren, advocated for stricter sanctions, arguing that current penalties like time additions or grid drops do not adequately deter reckless driving that results in a DNF.
‘I want drivers to be suspended for one race if they cause a DNF for a competitor,’ Norris stated, emphasizing the financial and championship implications for teams and drivers when a race ends prematurely due to another competitor’s actions.
Norris’s comments followed a notable collision involving Franco Colapinto during the Formula 2 feature race at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix earlier this season.
While Norris was not directly involved in the incident, he reportedly referenced the F2 crash as an example of the type of DNF-causing contact that should warrant more stringent penalties.
Verstappen countered that racing incidents are an inherent part of motorsport. He suggested that a one-race ban could disproportionately impact a driver’s championship aspirations.
The Red Bull driver believes that the existing penalty systems, despite occasional debate, are generally sufficient for managing on-track occurrences.
George Russell echoed Verstappen’s perspective, agreeing that a race suspension for causing a DNF would constitute an ‘overreaction’ from the stewards.
Russell, who secured victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix earlier this season, pointed to the subjective nature of fault determination in racing incidents.
Isack Hadjar, who finished third behind Verstappen at the Baku event, also contributed to the discussion. He described a suspension as an ‘excessive punishment’ for most racing incidents.
Hadjar himself was summoned to the stewards after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for an alleged unsafe release during a pit stop.
Following a review, Hadjar received a five-second time penalty for potentially impeding another car in the pit lane. This penalty did not alter his third-place finish.
Separately, the FIA has initiated an investigation into Gabriel Bortoleto for an alleged irregular overtaking manoeuvre. This incident occurred during the Formula 3 sprint race at the Italian Grand Prix.
Bortoleto is suspected of gaining an unfair advantage outside track limits on lap 7. A decision from the stewards regarding this matter is currently pending.
