Lewis Hamilton has voiced concern over Max Verstappen’s aggressive defensive tactics and called for the FIA to revise driving standard guidelines after a controversial United States Grand Prix. Verstappen’s no-holds-barred moves on McLaren’s Lando Norris, both at the start and again on Lap 52 at Turn 12, forced both drivers off track, stirring debate over F1’s rules on position-holding and track limits.
Norris was penalized with a five-second time penalty in the latter incident, despite having moved ahead before the braking zone. Under current guidelines, priority goes to the car first to reach the apex—giving Verstappen the edge, even though he didn’t stay on track. Hamilton criticized this regulation, arguing it creates a “grey area” that Verstappen frequently exploits.
“It’s why he’s gotten away with it for so long,” Hamilton remarked. “We need more consistency, and maybe we need full-time referees, like in other sports, to ensure fair rulings. You shouldn’t be able to dive up the inside, run wide, and still keep the position.” Hamilton, who has clashed with Verstappen on numerous occasions, believes the FIA must address these loopholes to ensure racing remains fair and competitive.
Norris, who currently finds himself challenging Verstappen for the championship, acknowledged Verstappen’s skill but pointed to the power imbalance between their positions. “Max is the best in the world at this, and he’s had more time in this position,” Norris admitted. “I’m avoiding collisions, and staying in the race when it could have been worse. But I don’t agree with how I was penalized last weekend.”
The McLaren driver insists he wants fewer rules, not more, but argues that the guidelines need refinement. “The way I got a penalty and how it was decided didn’t seem fair,” Norris said, adding that Verstappen’s lead allows him to take risks without much consequence. “He’s in a powerful position, and it’s up to me and McLaren to navigate that.”
McLaren has petitioned the FIA to review Norris’s penalty, with a hearing scheduled for Friday afternoon. As teams and drivers head into the Mexico City Grand Prix, pressure mounts on the FIA to clarify the rules and ensure a level playing field in the remaining races of the season.
