F1 News
Stella gives task to fans: 'How many times has Verstappen done this?'
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella could not believes following the Grand Prix why Max Verstappen got away with the way he defended follow the US Grand Prix. The Italian now recommended stewards and journalists alike to take a look at how many times the Dutchman has done that in the past.
"f I were a journalist, I would have done a bit of statistics of how many times Max has used this way for defending. I think both cars go off-track, so I think both cars are gaining an advantage if there's an advantage gained," the McLaren team principal began in the US.
While Norris did receive a penalty for overtaking his rival off the track, the British team believes that on two occasions - on Lap 1 and later on Lap 52 -, the Dutchman got away without any consequences.
Verstappen's defensive actions
The McLaren team principal believes there is a recurring pattern with Verstappen being aggressive, but there are no consequences by the stewards. The defending champion has previously also defended hard against Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix, but in the end, the seven-time world champion could get past his rival on the straight after several attempts.
"Well, that was extreme because the speed at which Max missed the apex in Brazil. Like if you turn into Max, then it's a big crash at the time. This one, it was much slower speed, so it could be a more benign situation. But it's just the fact that you defend by going off track. This cannot be permissible."
Stella critical of stewards' approach
Stella was also asked about the moment after the start into Turn 1, where Verstappen dived down the inside of Norris, and then also pushed him wide. Charles Leclerc took advantage of the situation and claimed the lead, while Norris also fell back behind the other Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, to fourth position.
"We were a little upset by the manoeuvre in corner one, because not only Max gained the position, but it costed the complete exit for Lando, and therefore losing the positions on both Ferraris. At the same time, we sort of understood that the stewards might have applied the first-lap mitigating circumstances, and we accepted it, because we always have respect for the difficulties that the stewards operate under," the Italian continued.
"But they should have respect for their job as well. And when the case is so difficult, like Lando and Max, just take the time, review it after the race, hear from the drivers, try to understand the subtleties. So I think the first lap, the first corner can be mitigated by the first-lap interpretation. But I think this one, for me, is really difficult to understand."
"More than the one in the first lap. And as to the reference to the inconsistency that I think you are making, because you mentioned the Verstappen [Vegas incident], I don't think I can comment, because I don't want to look like I'm criticising people, I'm just criticising the approach. Being a steward is such a difficult job. So if you are uncertain, give yourself time. Give yourself the way to be as accurate as possible," he concluded saying himself should not go into more detail.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!