Zak Brown Commends FIA for Verstappen’s Time Penalties: ‘They Were Not Enough’

Zak Brown, the team principal of McLaren, expressed his satisfaction with the penalties imposed on Max Verstappen during the recent Mexican Grand Prix. .comike the Austin race, where there were no penalties, Verstappen received two ten-second penalties for the way he defended his position against Lando Norris. Brown is pleased that the FIA has finally taken action against Verstappen, Norris’s latest rival, although he feels that Verstappen may not have faced enough penalties.

Celebrating Fair Play and Sporting Conduct

At the start of the race, Lando Norris was tasked with defending his second position from Verstappen’s aggressive maneuvers. The FIA ruled that Verstappen had pushed Norris off the track. As a consequence, Verstappen received two ten-second time penalties that ultimately dashed his hopes for a podium finish. Over the team radio, a somewhat cynical Verstappen reacted by stating, “Impressive, isn’t it?” He crossed the finish line in sixth place, losing ten points to Norris in the championship standings.

Reinforcing Rulings and Regulations

In the aftermath of the race, McLaren CEO Zak Brown further fueled the dialogue around the incidents. “These penalties may not even be enough,” he remarked during an interview with Sky Sports. Brown highlighted the increasingly concerning driving style of Verstappen. “I support the stewards’ decision on this; there comes a point where enough is enough. It’s important that we conduct good, clean races.” Norris, too, expressed his concerns about Verstappen’s racing tactics, stating, “I’m just lucky that my car is still intact.”

The Championship Battle with Ferrari

Brown continued to praise Lando Norris for his exceptional performance throughout the race, stating, “Lando drove brilliantly.” He also extended his congratulations to Carlos Sainz, who executed a remarkable race, ultimately emerging victorious in Mexico City. Brown dismissed complaints about Verstappen’s driving behavior, asserting that “the FIA did a commendable job this weekend.” He believes the responsibility now lies with the stewards to continue enforcing the rules.

Intensifying Competition: McLaren vs. Ferrari

While Norris succeeded in closing the gap on Verstappen, McLaren faced setbacks in the constructors’ championship. Ferrari’s strong performance, with a double podium finish, brought them within twenty-nine points of McLaren. “This championship is shaping up to be more thrilling than I would have hoped,” Brown acknowledged. “On the flip side, it’s fantastic to be fighting for the world championship. The conclusion of this season is bound to be riveting.”

As the racing season heads toward its climax, all eyes will be on how both teams navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The rivalry not .comy between McLaren and Ferrari but also between Norris and Verstappen promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.