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Christian Horner shows Norris GPS data to media accusing ‘bombing’
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Christian Horner shows Norris GPS data to media accusing ‘bombing’

Christian Horner started his post-race media session with GPS data to claim that Lando Norris bombed Max Verstappen and couldn’t turn the corner.

For the second race run, Verstappen and Norris clashed as they jockeyed for position, but this time it was the Dutchman who was punished in Mexico.

Christian Horner backs his claim with Lando Norris’ GPS data

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Blackstock

Norris, who was second and third behind Carlos Sainz, challenged Verstappen on the outside of Turn 4 but was forced off the track by the Red Bull driver. He returned to the track ahead of Verstappen, and as the argument continued at the top, the stewards gave Verstappen a 10-second penalty for pushing Norris off the track.

Three corners later they were at it again, this time Verstappen made a move at Turn 7 and forced them both off the track, even though there was a wall just meters away from lap two. Verstappen finished second in this race, but the stewards decided that he had left the track and gained an advantage and gave him a further 10-second penalty.

He finished the Grand Prix in sixth place, while Norris took second place and took 10 points from Verstappen’s lead. Drivers’ Championship.

Horner, who entered the media briefing with GPS data from Norris’ McLaren, claimed that the Briton bombarded his driver from the outside by braking later than usual to win the argument at the summit, claiming that Verstappen had to give him room.

He told the media, including: “First of all, I think giving two 10-second penalties is very harsh.” PlanetF1.com. “I think there is something more fundamental; I mean, there’s obviously a backlash to last weekend. I think it is very important that the driver stewards and drivers sit down.

“Because if I show you on the GPS, that’s the gist of Turn Four. It’s essentially Lando versus Lando.

“The point where Lando, on his fastest lap in the Grand Prix, braked for Turn 4 and then obviously took the corner. There was an incident with Max on the lap; It was printing late.

“He couldn’t turn the corner, he went off the track. You can see this from its built-in steering wheel. Of course, at this point in the race he probably has 80kg more fuel than when he set his fastest lap.

“So I guess we’re in danger… wandering around used to be a reward for the bravest. I think we are in danger of reversing the overtaking laws; drivers will try to put their noses forward at the top and then claim that they should be given space at the exit.

“You can see pretty clearly, he came off the brakes effectively, he came in too late and the way the rules are written he tried to win that argument and at that point you get penalised.”

More on Max Verstappen V Lando Norris in the Mexican GP

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‘When you have to go back to the overtaking user manual…’

Verstappen and Norris’ latest clash comes just days after the drivers met during a briefing on the rules of engagement at the Mexican Grand Prix, with attacking and defending one of the topics on the agenda.

It was decided that new rules needed to be established and that they could be implemented at the Qatar Grand Prix.

However, Horner believes the rules should be simplified rather than complicated, stating that the driver on the inside line has the corner.

“I just think we overcomplicate things and when you have to go back to overtaking instructions… I mean, racing principles for years have been that if you have the inside line, you dictate the corner,” he said.

“And I think the way the rules have developed encourages the driver to keep their nose at the top, regardless of whether you’re cornering or not, because you can clearly see that in the pavement.” From the two tours Lando spent there to gain this advantage.

“So I think it’s something that needs to be fixed so that everyone knows what is acceptable between the end of the season, otherwise we will be in a mess in the coming races.”

Asked whether F1 could face a serious incident if it insisted on something like ‘one man dying’, Horner replied: I wouldn’t go that far. It just changes the principle that where having the inside line used to be an advantage, the advantage of having the outside line was to then break and call for a foul.

“So I think we have to be very careful. The laws of physics wouldn’t allow Lando to support the weight of the car, and looking at the car, he wouldn’t be able to turn the corner.

“But I’m afraid we’re overcomplicating the principles of running races by trying to determine who’s ahead at what point. The inside line has always historically been the priority because that determines the corner.”

Christian Horner will not seek review rights

Despite his GPS data, Horner insisted Red Bull would not follow McLaren in its request for the right to review penalties. McLaren did this after Austin but their request was rejected because it did not meet the criteria.

“We will not invoke the right of investigation in this matter,” he said. “I think the most important thing is to figure out what is the path to racing going forward.

“I’m not sure it’s clear to drivers or some aspect of it that you have to keep your nose forward at the apex, which means you do that by getting off the brakes and accelerating to get to that point and saying ‘at that point I’m ahead of that’ even though you can’t make the pass.” .

He added: “It’s frustrating that you don’t want to refer to a rule book for every pass or defense. And, you know, these guys all grew up doing a lot of racing and they understand the principles of it.

“I think it is important that we do not over-regulate so much that it encourages behavior that is contrary to the racing rules and principles.”

Read next: Mexican GP driver points: Unnecessary Verstappen scores worst point of season