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Max Verstappen received a double penalty during the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix due to two separate incidents involving McLaren’s Lando Norris on lap 10. The FIA stewards deemed Verstappen’s actions as breaches of the International Sporting Code, resulting in a total of 20 seconds added to his race time and two penalty points on his super license.
The first incident occurred at Turn 4, where Verstappen forced Norris off the track while defending his position. The stewards found that Norris was ahead at the entry, apex, and exit of the corner when he was pushed wide, violating Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2 b) of the code .
The second incident happened at Turn 7, where Verstappen attempted an aggressive overtake on the inside, again forcing Norris off the track. This maneuver was also deemed a breach of the same regulation .
As a result of these actions, Verstappen was handed two separate 10-second time penalties, totaling 20 seconds, which dropped him from third to sixth place in the final standings. Additionally, he received two penalty points on his super license, bringing his total to six points within a 12-month period—halfway to a one-race ban .
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko criticized the penalties as “very harsh,” suggesting they were an overreaction influenced by previous incidents involving Verstappen and Norris . Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, however, viewed the penalties as setting a new standard for the FIA, emphasizing the importance of leaving room for competitors during overtaking maneuvers .
These penalties have intensified the championship battle, with Norris closing the gap to Verstappen by 10 points, leaving four race weekends remaining in the season .
