Verstappen was deemed responsible for the incident with Norris during the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, resulting in a ten-second time penalty. However, this penalty had little impact as Verstappen finished in fifth place, with the driver behind, Nico Hulkenberg, nearly 20 seconds behind. In contrast, Norris retired from the race and did not score any points.
Traditionally, penalties in Formula 1 have been based on the rules rather than the severity of the incident. Stella, speaking to the press in Spielberg, questioned the fairness of Verstappen’s penalty considering that he was able to continue racing while Norris could not. Stella acknowledged the complexity of the situation, highlighting that the outcomes can vary from minor to major. He emphasized the need for reflection and analysis, suggesting that the FIA should address this case as an opportunity to evaluate and improve the sport.
Stella expressed his dissatisfaction with the ineffectiveness of the ten-second penalty as it allowed the driver they are trying to catch in the standings to gain 10 points. He believed that the incident between Verstappen and Norris highlighted the need for change in Formula 1 as it was not a positive moment for the sport. Stella mentioned the controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi in 2021, where Verstappen and Hamilton were involved in a fierce battle for the title, and argued that Verstappen had not been properly punished in the past for certain defensive maneuvers.
Addressing the issue honestly and implementing appropriate punishments is crucial to prevent similar incidents from happening again, according to Stella. He emphasized the importance of effectively enforcing regulations, especially when an accident results in a car being forced out of the race. Stella mentioned previous cases of braking movements and highlighted the need to apply racing rules to ensure fairness and enjoyment. He proposed that a warning, such as a white and black flag, could have been sufficient in Verstappen’s case, urging caution when closing the door on Norris.
(Report by Agnes Carlier from Spielberg)
