Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has confirmed that his team will not challenge the two time penalties Max Verstappen received during the Mexican Grand Prix, signaling a focus on moving forward rather than contesting the calls. The decision comes amid a tense 2024 F1 championship battle between Verstappen and Lando Norris, with just four races left and the title on the line.
The penalties resulted from Verstappen’s aggressive moves on Norris, ultimately costing the Dutchman two 10-second penalties and relegating him to a sixth-place finish. Although critics slammed Verstappen’s approach, Horner emphasized that Red Bull has no intention of using its right to review, which requires new evidence to reopen a case. “We won’t activate a right of review on this,” Horner said. “I think the most important thing is what is the way to go racing going forward.”
Horner has raised concerns over what he sees as increasing complexity in F1’s penalty system, suggesting that Verstappen will continue to race on the edge of regulations, which he feels is key to the Dutchman’s success. “Max will always drive aggressively to what he perceives as the regulations,” Horner noted. “When you step over that mark, then of course you’ll get a penalty. I just fear that we’re perhaps overcomplicating it.”
With four races remaining, Verstappen holds a 47-point lead over Norris, putting him in a strong position to defend his world title. However, as Horner acknowledged, a single DNF could upend the standings, adding extra tension to this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
As the championship battle intensifies, the focus will be on how F1 enforces racing standards and whether Verstappen’s aggressive style will face further scrutiny. For now, Red Bull and Horner are looking ahead, intent on finishing the season on a high while advocating for simpler, clearer racing guidelines.
