05/11/2016
NEWS STORY
Max Verstappen has a message for the FIA... sort out your "ridiculous" rules over the winter.
The Dutch youngster who finished third, fifth and ultimately fourth in Mexico is still seething at being punished for running wide while a similar incident involving Lewis Hamilton saw the Briton escape Scot free.
The Red Bull driver says that such inconsistency is not only frustrating for drivers it is a turn of for the fans.
"The problem with these kind of rules is that they complicate the sport for both the viewer and the stewards themselves," he writes in his latest column for sponsor Exact.
"That was evident at the Grand Prix of Mexico," he continues. "Lewis Hamilton cut across the grass at the first corner and was not penalised. Fine, but after I did exactly the same in my fight with Sebastian Vettel, I got a five-second penalty and I lost my third place.
"That is a ridiculous situation," he insists. "Lewis and I both miss our braking point, in exactly the same corner. Just like him I didn't have any advantage, because I went first into the corner and came out first again. That I am punished, but not Lewis, indicates that there are double standards.
"The current season still has two races to go, and then maybe we can use the winter to put the rules and regulations under the microscope to create more clarity," he advised. "Rules are obviously needed and I will always respect them, but it is only fair if they are the same for everyone and are also applied that way."
Naturally, the Dutch youngster supported one of the stewards decisions in Mexico, that to penalise Sebastian Vettel.
"Apparently he was expecting that I would just give him the position, but I was not planning on doing that. I don't do presents," quipped the youngster. "In his frustration Sebastian closed the door for Daniel Ricciardo by doing exactly that what is now banned by the 'Verstappen rule'.
"It feels fair that Sebastian was punished for his actions in the end. But what is strange is that it was only looked at later, so Daniel did not enjoy his time on the podium," concluded the Red Bull driver, omitting to mention that the late penalty also saved Juan Pablo Montoya having to drink from the Australian's boot.
Over to you Charlie.