It’s clear that the incident between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen has sparked a debate about the rules of wheel-to-wheel racing and the consistency of steward decisions. The Driving Standards Guidelines have been referenced in this case, but the question remains – are these guidelines fit for purpose?
Anthony Davidson’s analysis on the SkyPad highlighted the specific rule that the overtaking car needs to have a significant part of their car ahead of the other car by the apex of the corner. In this case, Norris was not ahead at this crucial point, giving Verstappen the right to dictate the racing line.
While it can be argued that Norris was pushed off the track, the stewards have been consistent in their application of the rules throughout the weekend. This raises the question of whether the current guidelines need to be reviewed and potentially revised to ensure fair and consistent decision-making in wheel-to-wheel racing incidents.
It seems that there is a debate around the consistency and fairness of the penalty given to Lando Norris for overtaking Max Verstappen off the track. Button and Stella both raise valid points about the regulations and the actions of the drivers involved. Ultimately, it appears that there is room for improvement and clarification in the rules to ensure fairness and consistency in such situations.