The Verstappen camp is far from silent after a fiery showdown at the 2024 Mexico GP. Following Max Verstappen’s aggressive duel with Lando Norris, which landed him a 20-second penalty, his father, Jos Verstappen, is publicly condemning what he sees as “bias” among the FIA stewards.
The drama erupted on Lap 10 when Verstappen, defending his position, forced Norris off the track at Turn 4 and repeated a similarly aggressive move just four corners later. These maneuvers, which left fans and officials divided, led the stewards to slap the reigning champ with two 10-second penalties for unsporting behavior, pushing Norris off-track, and gaining an advantage by leaving the racing line.
Jos, who believes his son’s penalty was unnecessarily harsh, suggested that the FIA should re-evaluate the stewards panel for conflicts of interest, particularly pointing to former drivers who may have ties or sympathies toward certain teams or competitors. “The FIA should take a good look at the composition of the stewards,” Jos told Formule1.com, expressing concern over alleged “conflicts of interest” among officials.
The stewards’ panel included British ex-F1 driver Johnny Herbert and Tim Mayer, whose father co-founded the McLaren team—a key competitor to Verstappen’s Red Bull Racing. Herbert, now with the FIA, has previously criticized Verstappen’s tactics, notably during the infamous 2021 title battle with Lewis Hamilton, which adds another layer of scrutiny to the penalty decision.
Many fans and pundits felt the penalties in Mexico were justified, with some, including McLaren’s Zak Brown, even calling them too lenient. Yet Jos argues that these officials are less likely to rule fairly when Verstappen is involved, casting a shadow on the impartiality of decisions that could impact the championship standings.
In addition, the 2021 season is a touchpoint for Verstappen’s critics. During that tense season finale in Abu Dhabi, steward Derek Warwick was scrutinized for his potential bias due to his ties to Honda, then Red Bull’s engine supplier. The race director’s calls in favor of Verstappen stirred controversy and helped Max secure his first world title—although no evidence has suggested Warwick acted out of bias.
With Max Verstappen still leading the championship, fans and drivers alike are watching closely as the title fight heads to Brazil. Despite mounting criticism, Jos claims Max has no intention of changing his approach. “Max drives the way he wants anyway,” he said. “He’s doing everything he can to win the title, and he’s really not going to change his driving style just because a few stewards don’t like him.”
This saga underscores the tensions that define the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where even the officials tasked with fairness are pulled into the fray. As the season edges toward its climax, it’s clear Verstappen’s on-track aggression—and the officials’ responses—will remain under a magnifying glass.
