Hamilton Calls For Rule Change After Verstappen-Norris Battle In Austin

Friday, 25 October 2024 at 22:00

Lewis Hamilton could relate to Lando Norris and called for a rule change, suggesting Max Verstappen takes advantage of a grey area in the regulations.

Lando Norris, who had been pushed wide by Max Verstappen (who was ahead at the apex), overtook the Dutchman off the track during their battle in Austin and consequently received a five-second time penalty.

The McLaren driver said after the race that he didn't agree with the stewards' ruling to give him the penalty, and even after a careful review, he still stood by his previous statements in Mexico City.

Norris suggested that the Red Bull Racing driver was only ahead at the apex because he carried in too much speed to stay within the track limits (which he ultimately didn't manage).

Other drivers on the gird were also asked to share what they thought about this controversial battle. When Sky Sports asked Lewis Hamilton about what he thought about the incident and whether he thought regulations needed to be updated, he said:

"I have [thought the regulations needed some tweaking] for a long time. It's interesting that people talk about it now because it's the same thing that happened to me in 2021.

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"If you take Brazil into account, for example. On the breaking, you are ahead, but then the car comes off the brakes and doesn't make the corner, and you have to go wide."

"But then they say you both went wide, but you had no choice because you had to avoid the collision."

During the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton had a similar incident with Max Verstappen, although at a higher speed. The Dutchman went too late on the brakes and gave Hamilton no other chance but to go off the track with him.

The Mercedes driver didn't overtake Verstappen off the track and stayed behind, and the stewards decided "no further investigation" was needed, meaning neither of the two drivers received a penalty. Hamilton added:

"I mean, there definitely needs to be something done about it because it's happening a lot now. You shouldn't be able to come off the brakes and run more speed, go off track, and still hold your place."