Verstappen hits out at F1 penalty system in 2018

  • Published on 07 Dec 2018 11:19
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Max Verstappen believes that penalties were "all over the place" throughout the 2018 season. The Dutchman had a number of altercations with the stewards throughout the year, after collisions with other drivers in China, Azerbaijan and Japan.

Verstappen's strongest criticism of the stewards came perhaps came in Italy after he made contact with Valtteri Bottas. As the Finn attempted to overtake heading into Turn 1, the two made wheel to wheel contact, causing Bottas to miss the first chicane.

Verstappen was deemed guilty of causing a collision and received a five-second time penalty along with two penalty points. He claimed that the stewards "ruined racing", and still believes that the contact was unworthy of a penalty.

"For me, to be honest, I think it was still unfair because I did leave him a car’s width,” Verstappen told RaceFans. “I think it happened the year before as well with Felipe [Massa] and his teammate at the time. I think penalties in general the whole season have been a bit all over the place.

“Sometimes yes, sometimes not. Of course, looking back at it I could have braked a bit straighter instead of going to the left, but when you’re in the car it’s really difficult to judge that when you arrive at 300 (kph).”

People who can't play within the rules are always complaining about them and making excuses. Grow up and just get with the program dude or go race somewhere else.

  • 2
  • Dec 7 2018 - 16:41

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • People who can't play within the rules are always complaining about them and making excuses. Grow up and just get with the program dude or go race somewhere else.

    • + 2
    • Dec 7 2018 - 16:41
    • sadosalo

      Posts: 198

      Thanks to Max we the F1 fans like to see exciting racing and not get the stewards involved if not necessary please.

      • + 0
      • Dec 10 2018 - 04:20
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    As long as the rules are applied the same way it's ok but they aren't and Verstappen is correct. Don't want him to change or turn into an marketing puppet.

    • + 1
    • Dec 7 2018 - 22:42
  • sadosalo

    Posts: 198

    Yes correct and then for sure in Italy Bottas got some space left but not the skills to avoid contact. Stewards are to eager to punish the young guns but if Hamilton or Vettel makes a mistake they do nothing as in under investigation but the result is nothing. We did not see Lewis racing anybody, starts from pole, Bottas blocking or team orders to let Lewis pass and the rest has to follow the train, c'mon its so easy to drive the best car on the grid with party mode for qualifying as the rest has to overdrive their cars a lot to compete. Mercedes is by far the most boring team to watch for us the F1 fans as it is a procession every race, lets hope for more competition next year go Ferrari and/or RBR.

    • + 0
    • Dec 10 2018 - 04:12

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,024
  • Podiums 112
  • Grand Prix 209
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile
show sidebar