Formula 1 fans are still buzzing from the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Red Bull’s Max Verstappen found himself slapped with a hefty 20-second penalty after a heated wheel-to-wheel battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff did not hold back in his assessment of the Dutchman’s aggressive style, calling it “dirty driving” and a flashback to the heated 2021 season.
The penalties, handed down by stewards, came after Verstappen nearly collided with Norris twice, pushing the McLaren driver off the track at Turn 4 before gaining an advantage by cutting through Turn 7. The decision to penalize Verstappen twice with 10-second increments has sparked intense debate, but Wolff believes it was exactly what the sport needed.
“This was a really good call by the stewards,” Wolff said in a candid interview with OE24.com. “It sets a necessary precedent. This kind of dirty driving has to be curtailed for the future, and a strong penalty like this sends a clear message that this behavior won’t be tolerated.”
Wolff, clearly drawing comparisons to the drama-filled 2021 season, remarked that Verstappen’s conduct reminded him of numerous clashes from that year when the Red Bull driver’s aggressive style raised eyebrows—particularly when matched against Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
The Mercedes boss pointed to multiple incidents in 2021 where Verstappen avoided punishment despite pushing Hamilton to the limit, most notably during critical races at Imola, Monza, Interlagos, and Jeddah. Wolff suggested that these past decisions contributed to the “anything goes” atmosphere that some drivers have come to expect.
“It’s déjà vu,” Wolff remarked. “Only this time it’s about Lando, not us. But it reminds me so much of the Verstappen-Hamilton battles in 2021 when the stewards hesitated to hold him accountable. This penalty was needed to stop that from becoming the norm again.”
As thrilling as the title battles have been, Wolff acknowledged that Verstappen and Norris’s clashes continue to fuel fan interest, which benefits the sport as a whole. He admitted that, from a business perspective, these intense rivalries are good for F1’s viewership and profits.
“For the sport, this kind of show is fantastic. It’s good for business,” Wolff said. “Fans love to see drama on track, from top drivers colliding to the stunning performances and unexpected upsets. And when fans are happy, business thrives.”
With F1’s 2024 season delivering nail-biting moments and a thrilling title chase, it’s no wonder viewership and engagement are through the roof. But for Wolff and Mercedes, one goal remains: bringing home victories.
“Our priority, of course, is to win,” Wolff concluded. “There was excitement across the board in Mexico—Sainz dominating, Leclerc struggling, Perez’s unfortunate day, and our own fierce competition. But ultimately, our focus is on bringing home the title.”
As Formula 1 heads to Brazil, all eyes will be on the Verstappen-Norris rivalry to see if Wolff’s warning resonates or if this fiery showdown escalates further.
