Button Points Out Problem With Regulations That Verstappen Takes Advantage Of

Tuesday, 22 October 2024 at 14:00

Jenson Button discussed what he thought was the main problem with how Max Verstappen's and Lando Norris's controversial battle was handled.

Red Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen profited from Lando Norris's penalty for an incident that took place on lap 52 out of 56 and moved up into a P3 from P4 after finishing the race.

The decision from stewards to give the McLaren Racing driver a penalty came after a battle with the Dutchman, who pushed him out of the track in turn number 12.

Feeling justified to take his position with Verstappen also going off the track, Norris overtook the Red Bull Racing driver while being outside of the white lines.

For that, he received a penalty. When looking at the whole incident, stewards noted a very important factor was that Max Verstappen was ahead at the apex. However, this is where Jenson Button sees a problem. He told Sky Sports F1:

"The only thing I find very difficult is yes he's in front at the apex but he's in front of the apex because he's out-braked himself. He knows he needs to have his nose in front when he gets to the apex. So he's done that."

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"He's done that because he knows he's likely to be overtaken on the outside. The same thing happened in Brazil 2021 with Hamilton."

The Red Bull Racing driver knew he could brake later and not make the corner, push Norris wide, and get away with the warning, and Button highlights the problem is that current regulations allow him to do so.

"He knows you're going to go so far off the track, I am going to have to go off the track, out of the field play as well. We know how it works."

"This is a problem with the regulations. If he knows if he has to have his front nose in front at the apex, he just lifts off and just lets his car into the corner. He's in front but he doesn't make the corner."