Red Bull should do more to encourage Max Verstappen to obey the racing rules, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has said.
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Verstappen collided with Lando Norris while the pair were fighting for the lead of the Austrian Grand Prix last week. The stewards held Verstappen responsible, issuing him a 10-second time penalty.
However during the race Norris repeatedly accused Verstappen of breaking the racing rules by moving under braking and going off the track in order to keep the lead when the McLaren driver tried to pass him.
Brown said he enjoyed their fight over the lead but felt the stewards should have stepped in before contact was made. He argued F1 should have a permanent group of stewards at every race which he believes would make decision-making more consistent.
“It was quite an epic battle,” he said. “Exciting for the fans, exciting for everyone in Formula 1. I think it was a matter of time until we saw the two of them going head-to-head. Obviously an unfortunate outcome [from] what was a very small touch.
“But I think as we reflect on the weekend – I think this is something that the FIA agrees – we need to invest more in our stewarding to have greater consistency in enforcement of the regulations.
“I think having part-time stewards, it’s a very difficult job. It’s quite complex and to do it on a part time basis for the level of Formula 1 I think is difficult because Max and Lando were just duking it out as you’d expect them to do and until someone tells Max ‘that’s against the regulations’ he’s not going to know any different. “So I think, there were missed opportunities for the stewards to make note.”
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However he also believes Red Bull should have done more to ensure Verstappen obeyed the racing rules and accused them of encouraging him to keep making illegal moves.
“I’m also disappointed in such a great team like Red Bull, that the leadership almost encourages it,” he said. “Because you listen on the radio what was said, we all have a responsibility on pit wall to tell our drivers the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of what’s going on in the race.”
Brown compared the situation to past occasions when Red Bull have been found to have broken the rules, such as when they exceeded the 2021 budget cap by £1.8 million.
“I think when you can have respect for regulations, and we’ve seen there be lack of respect whether it’s financial regulations or sporting or on-track, issues with fathers and things of that nature, I just don’t think that’s how we need to go racing.
“We need to guide our drivers on what’s right or wrong and I think had it been addressed earlier, maybe that incident wouldn’t have taken place.”
Brown said he does not intend to raise his concerns with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. “I don’t have any interest in speaking with Christian,” he said.
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However he said Verstappen is not the only driver who has pushed the rules too far, and stressed F1 needs to reform how it enforces its rules to combat it.
“You see battles all throughout the field,” he said. “I think we just need regulations in black and white and enforced accordingly.
“So I don’t think it would be fair to say it’s Max’s driving. I think all these drivers drive at the absolute limit, as they should. But they do have a set of regulations.
“It’s not about cleaning up the drivers’ [behaviour], it’s about enforcing and having much clearer regulations on a consistent basis, whatever those may be. But I think, these are the 20 best drivers in the world, so they can deal with about anything.”
Verstappen and Norris’ Austrian GP team radio
| Lap: 55/71 VER: 1’09.213, NOR: 1’09.348 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So Lando on DRS he’s 0.7. Norris closes on Verstappen at turn three. The Red Bull driver reacts by moving to cover the inside line | Norris | Norris closes on Verstappen at turn three. The Red Bull driver reacts by moving to cover the inside line Yeah. He reacted to my move. You’re not allowed to do that. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Okay, we’re on it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | He saw me move. Then he moved. That’s not allowed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | We’ve reported that to the race director. He saw you move and then moved. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 56/71 VER: 1’08.623, NOR: 1’08.770 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So gap 1.2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | It’s like there’s something wrong with the car, man. No grip. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 57/71 VER: 1’08.975, NOR: 1’08.751 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | And strat 11, strat 11. Lando on DRS, 0.9. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | For reference Max, Russell on a hard is doing 9.8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Also mid six if you prefer. Mid six. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | No. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 58/71 VER: 1’09.183, NOR: 1’09.161 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Gap 0.8, on DRS. | Joseph | Lando, third strike. So we’ve got a black-and-white flag that was turn one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 59/71 VER: 1’10.646, NOR: 1’10.626 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Gap 0.7. | Norris | Norris goes down the inside of Verstappen at turn three, passes him and goes off the track, committing his fourth track limits infringement which incurs a penalty He can’t keep moving after I’ve moved, it’s just dangerous. We’re going to have a big shunt. He forced me to go wide. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Norris goes down the inside of Verstappen at turn three, passes him and goes off the track He overtook outside the track. | Joseph | Understood mate. He keeps forcing you off. It was the right thing to do to give the position back. Let’s get it again. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Norris returns the position. He already had black and white flags. He already had a black and white flag. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | [Sarcastic] Yeah, that’s my second penalty then. It’s super-clear. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Just head down mate, head now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Yeah, I know. Come on. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 60/71 VER: 1’09.399, NOR: 1’09.356 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | I’m not entirely sure how it thinks you forced him off. Max. As in, Lando went straight up the inside, went too far. | Norris | Yeah but I can’t keep doing this, if he keeps moving I’m going to lock up. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Oh… Jesus. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 62/71 VER: 1’09.528, NOR: 1’09.509 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay, let’s have mode seven Max. Gap 0.6. | Joseph | Push and hold available. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 63/71 VER: 1’10.412, NOR: 1’10.234 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Norris tries to pass Verstappen on the inside of turn three, the Red Bull driver runs wide and stays ahead He forced me off again. | Norris | Norris tries to pass Verstappen on the inside of turn three, the Red Bull driver runs wide and stays ahead Yeah he has to give the position back. I was ahead at the apex. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | It’s not clever, is it? | Joseph | Yep. And he went off-track. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | He’s just dive-bombing, like, that’s not how you overtake. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 64/71 VER: 1’38.003, NOR: 2’00.257 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Norris attempts to pass Verstappen on the outside approaching turn three. They collide and both drivers sustain punctures Nice. Oh my god. | Norris | Yeah the car’s f*cked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Box Max. Box. Got rear-left puncture. Box. | Joseph | It’s just a puncture. Box this lap, box this lap. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Tyre 13. Tyre one-three. | Engineer | Red A10, red A10. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Look out for the white line pit lane entry. | Engineer | Diff red A10. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | And just a reminder strat 12 in pit lane. | Joseph | Red A10, please, red A10. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | I’m in red A10, mate, are you blind? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | He enters the pits It’s too much damage, okay, it’s better to just retire now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 65/71 VER: 1’33.697, NOR: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Strat 11 tyre eight. Strat 11 tyre eight. | Norris | McLaren attempt to repair his car Let’s not waste mileage because if we can’t get points there’s no point doing it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay so you’ve got Hamilton at seven seconds ahead Max. Seven laps remaining. Hamilton pace… | Joseph | We’ll keep going, mate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Interrupts Did you see the floor damage? | Joseph | Okay. Turn it off, please, turn it off. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Hamilton pace 9.9. Nothing we can do about that now Max so just focus on the car ahead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | VSC deployed, VSC deployed. Plus one. And fail 10. Fail 1-0 fail. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chequered flag | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Recharge on and fail 84 please Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Max, heads-up you were given a 10-second penalty for that incident with Lando, just in case you’re quizzed about that after the race. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Of course. Yeah, sure. That’s just ridiculous. You can just send it left and right. What do you want me to do? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horner | Yeah he didn’t behave correctly, Max. So, yeah, desperately unlucky, especially here. But, you did your very best. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Yeah. I mean the race itself was also just sh*t, to be honest. Many things to improve on. But that’s what it is. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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