by Max Verstappen has been compared to F1’s version of Dick Dastardly after his maneuvers against Lando Norris in Mexico.
The Red Bull driver pushed title rival Norris off the track at Turn 4 on lap 10 as the McLaren tried to move to the outside.
A few moments later, Verstappen retaliated by throwing both cars off the track in Turn 7 – a move that Norris described as “dangerous”. Verstappen received two 10-second time penalties and two penalty points from the stewards and ultimately finished sixth, with Norris second.
It means Verstappen now has a 47-point lead over Norris in the standings, as 1996 world champion Damon Hill compared the Dutchman to the icon Crazy racing Character Dastardly, who, with his buddy Mutley, devised ways to sabotage rivals that usually backfired.
“The more regulations you put in place, the more loopholes you create, which is a big can of worms,” Hill said Sky Sports F1 Podcast.
“He was right to get a penalty, but I don’t know if 10 seconds was the right penalty, but the second move he made was just stupid.”
“It was Dick Dastardly, he just accelerated to the apex and pushed Lando off the track, who didn’t have much of a choice.”
“It was silly driving and Max left himself down there. He has so much brilliance and a huge competitive spirit, but I don’t think what he did was anything to be proud of.”
“The problem Max has is that he simply refuses to give anyone any grass when overtaking, that’s the situation.”
