The hole between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris has been decreased to 47 factors after an exhilarating Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, which was received by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
Verstappen was given two 10-second penalties following incidents involving Norris, however he managed to complete sixth total.
Norris was trailing in third for almost all of the race earlier than passing Charles Leclerc to complete second.
BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson solutions your questions after an action-packed grand prix.
With the drivers pointers being revised, why has it taken this lengthy to assessment them contemplating Verstappen’s conduct within the 2021 season? – Olly
The present pointers got here out of a request from the drivers for an enchancment in policing of racing incidents, and had been aimed toward attempting to create better consistency of utility.
They weren’t particularly created in relation to Max Verstappen’s driving.
Approving such objects is a protracted course of that passes via many ranges of the FIA, and requires closing approval from the world motorsport council.
For instance, whereas the drivers and the FIA mentioned amending the rules in Mexico Metropolis on Friday, the brand new draft can be accessible for the drivers to think about solely on the Qatar Grand Prix in a month’s time.
It’s price mentioning that the present pointers haven’t technically been formally authorized by the drivers.
In truth, the foundations had been proven to the drivers however they mentioned on the time that, relatively than concentrate on the wording, they would favor to concentrate on the folks executing the foundations.
That was as a result of they felt the had been positive, however had been being utilized in an inconsistent method.
Now, the scenario is totally different – the drivers had an issue each with the rules themselves and their utility.
They really feel the present guidelines depart a gray space that permitted the kind of defence Verstappen employed towards Lando Norris in Austin – therefore
Are the driving requirements in F1 as unhealthy as they’ve ever been? – Paul
On steadiness, it’s most likely the case that driving requirements in F1 are as excessive as they’ve ever been.
There are numerous world-class drivers in F1, and by and enormous all of them race pretty as much as the restrict of the rules.
Some drivers will all the time check the bounds of the foundations, and what’s thought of acceptable. Ayrton Senna did it, Michael Schumacher did it, and now Max Verstappen is doing it.
Verstappen’s defensive driving was seen towards Norris in Austin. Brake late on the within to make sure you are forward on the apex, and get no penalty for taking each vehicles off observe as a result of technically no rule has been damaged.
However the incident in Austin has proved a watershed. The drivers have requested for the rules to be modified accordingly.
It’s not completely clear, although, whether or not the stewards, nonetheless working to the present pointers, took a extra extreme line with Verstappen in Mexico because of this.
Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff mentioned he thought that was the case, however the stewards’ verdicts there gave totally different reasoning to the one in Austin. And that’s as a result of in that whereas in Austin Verstappen was forward on the apex, in Mexico Norris was.
Will Russell have an up to date automobile for Interlagos or will Mercedes nonetheless not have alternative elements? – Okay Raj
Mercedes are in a little bit of a spot proper now for 2 causes – the variety of massive crashes their drivers have been having, and their uncertainty over whether or not their newest improve bundle has launched an instability into the automobile.
In truth, the 2 points could also be associated – it appears potential that George Russell’s crashes in Austin and Mexico might have been attributable to this instability, and likewise Lewis Hamilton’s offs in Austin, in follow and the race.
The quantity of injury – additionally together with Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s massive crash in follow in Italy – is inflicting Mercedes a two-pronged drawback – lack of spare elements and expense.
They’re now pushing onerous up towards their cost-cap restrict. Crew principal Toto Wolff mentioned the necessity to give Russell a model new chassis after his crash in Mexico was “an incredible hit beneath the price cap and we most likely need to dial down on what we placed on the automobile”.
Wolff mentioned after the Mexico race on Sunday that in Brazil this weekend they’d have two variations of the brand new ground that was launched in Austin “however that’s principally it”.
As for the specification wherein the vehicles will run in Brazil, and whether or not the most recent points would possibly persuade them to desert the brand new ground and revert to a earlier specification, Wolff mentioned: “I’m open-minded about what the drivers assume.
“I’m sure George will go for the brand new and Lewis might need to back-to-back the outdated ground now in Brazil, and we will definitely speak with him about what his choice is.”
Why is the driving force in pole place at first on the left aspect of the observe even when the primary flip is to the precise? – John
In Mexico Metropolis, pole is on the left as a result of that’s the racing line, and very often that’s thought of to be an advantageous place, regardless of it being on the surface on the method to the primary nook.
That’s as a result of the racing line usually has extra grip than the within line, as a result of it’s pushed on all weekend, so it’s cleaner and has extra rubber laid down. In principle, the driving force on pole ought to have the ability to make a greater begin than the one in second, with all different issues being equal.
This method actually goes again to the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix and the controversial crash between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost on the first nook.
Senna and Prost had been disputing the title at that race. Senna certified his McLaren on pole, with Prost’s Ferrari second.
The FISA (because the sporting arm of the FIA was identified again then) had put pole on the precise – the within line. Senna requested for it to be moved to the grippier outdoors line, however then-FIA president Jean-Marie Balestre refused.
This angered Senna, who already believed Balestre had interfered to make sure Prost received the 1989 title after the 2 drivers had crashed collectively on the chicane in Japan the earlier 12 months, once they had been McLaren team-mates.
Senna determined that if Prost beat him to the primary nook, the Frenchman wouldn’t make it any additional. Prost did get a greater begin, and Senna intentionally crashed into him, taking them each out.
To return again to the fashionable day, whereas it’s extra frequent for pole to be on the surface line, it’s not all the time the case. In Belgium and Canada, for instance, pole is on the within.
Mainly, pole is placed on the aspect that’s thought of to be most advantageous for the driving force who has certified there.
If Colapinto retains performing the best way he has been for the remainder of the season, certainly he should get a seat for 2025, and is RB the probably? – Kev
Franco Colapinto has impressed since he was drafted in at Williams to exchange Logan Sargeant, who was dropped after the Dutch Grand Prix.
Having mentioned that, Mexico was not Colapinto’s greatest race – he struggled in qualifying with oversteer and was rather a lot slower than team-mate Alex Albon, for the primary time since his debut in Monza.
Most observers really feel that the Argentine has proven sufficient to show he deserves a seat in F1 subsequent 12 months. The issue is that there aren’t many seats accessible.
Williams can not take him as a result of they’ve already signed Carlos Sainz to associate Albon.
The one unconfirmed seats are one at Sauber/Audi alongside Nico Hulkenberg and one at RB alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
Nonetheless, Sergio Perez’s place at Pink Bull is beneath critical menace – once more – after a collection of poor performances.
Colapinto is into consideration at Sauber, though there are different candidates there, similar to incumbent Valtteri Bottas and Components 2 championship chief Gabriel Bortoleto.
And it appears Colapinto might now even be within the body for the second RB seat – if Perez is dropped and Liam Lawson is promoted to Pink Bull.
Are Ferrari now favourites for each titles subsequent 12 months? – Ed
Ferrari are actually approaching sturdy within the closing section of this season, following an improve launched on the Italian Grand Prix that has clearly been very efficient.
Their one-three end in Mexico, following their one-two in Austin, has moved them forward of Pink Bull into second within the constructors’ championship and they’re now solely 29 factors behind McLaren.
However simply because a staff finishes one season strongly doesn’t imply they may begin the following one like that.
All of the groups can be placing the teachings of this 12 months’s vehicles into subsequent 12 months’s designs.
It is going to solely be potential to know who has completed one of the best job when the brand new vehicles run on the first race subsequent 12 months.
And as this 12 months has proved, simply because a staff begins a season effectively, it doesn’t imply they may essentially proceed that means.
