‘I just follow the rules’ – Verstappen questions ‘scream for changes’ in overtaking guidelines debate

Max Verstappen has outlined his stance on the ongoing conversation about whether regulations on overtaking should be overhauled after his intense battle with Lando Norris in Austin.

The Briton was penalised in the late stages of the United States Grand Prix following an attempt to pass the Red Bull that saw both drivers veer onto the run-off area, with Norris edging in front when they rejoined the track.

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With the five-second time penalty relegating the McLaren driver from the podium at a time when every point is crucial in the championship, a debate has arisen over the fairness of the punishment and clarity of the current rules.

Following the race, Team Principal Andrea Stella said that McLaren held the “polar opposite” opinion to the stewards’ “inappropriate” decision, but Verstappen shared a different perspective on the incident.

Speaking ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, he said: “At the end of the day, you cannot overtake outside of the white line. That’s a very clear rule and I’ve been done by it myself.

“I don’t understand why suddenly now we need to ask and scream for changes in the regulation when it’s been like that forever. I grew up go-karting, F3, F1, you know that you cannot pass outside of the white line. It’s as simple as that.

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“It’s how the rules are written. I didn’t make the rules, first of all, I just follow the rules as much as I can. Of course, sometimes you get caught out with it, we’ve had that in the past. I just implement the rules and play with them.”

With suggestions ranging from a permanent panel of stewards to asking former drivers to use common sense for each decision, Verstappen explained “the problem is that it’s always an argument”.

He added: “Sometimes you say it’s too many rules, then it’s like ‘we need more rules’ – you’ll always have that. Depends on whatever side you’re on.”

The Dutchman’s Sprint victory and P3 finish in the Grand Prix seemed to mark another turn in fortune for the Milton Keynes outfit – his lead in the drivers’ standings is up to 57 points, and the team are still in the mix for the constructors’ title too.

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“Austin for me was a positive weekend,” Verstappen summarised. “Sunday was not so good but that’s something we are analysing, why that happened. Overall I felt like at least I was a bit more in the fight.

“The last few races I’ve always just not been able to do anything and the car was definitely more competitive so I hope that we can from now onwards at least be in that fight.”