Martin Brundle did not hold back in his assessment of Max Verstappen’s heavy-handed tactics at the Mexican Grand Prix. The Dutchman was punished heavily by the stewards for running Lando Norris off the road on two occasions while battling for position.
Norris was attempting to overtake Verstappen around the outside at Turn Four but the Dutchman braked late and forced the McLaren wide. Moments later, he launched a reckless dive down the inside of Turn Eight which saw both drivers run off the track.
After reviewing both flashpoints, the stewards decided that Verstappen was the driver at fault and threw the book at him. He was punished with two 10-second penalties, one for each incident, while two penalty points were added to his licence.
Reviewing the race in his column for Sky Sports F1, Brundle suggested that Verstappen will be at risk of tarnishing his F1 legacy unless he tones down his aggressive approach to racing other drivers.
“I know that Max doesn’t care what anybody thinks, but it saddens me when he drives like that,” wrote Brundle.
“He’s a multiple champion, has more driving talent in his little finger than most of us ever had, but his legacy will be tainted by this sporting attitude and that’s a shame.”
Brundle added that Verstappen could have been dealt a harsher punishment by the stewards for his move at Turn Eight, which he thought was out of frustration after his previous battle with Norris at Turn Four.
“Verstappen, presumably feeling that Norris had passed him off the track, simply threw his car up the inside of the McLaren,” said Brundle.
“He must have known this could have instantly taken them both out of the race but Norris was ready for it. It was another 10-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage, but frankly it could easily have warranted a pit lane drive-through for dangerous driving.
“It was quite a shocking move which took them both way off the track and allowed Charles Leclerc through for a Ferrari one-two at that time.
“That delay for Norris, and subsequently having to follow Verstappen until the Dutchman pitted on lap 26, possibly cost him victory given his pace in the final stages of the race.”
