F1 gives Max Verstappen ‘free pass’ in controversial Mexico City Grand Prix incident for Damon Hill

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Damon Hill feels the Formula 1 rulebook gave Max Verstappen a ‘free pass’ after yet another controversial incident from the Red Bull racer in the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The Dutchman has found himself embroiled in controversy in recent rounds with Verstappen continually pushing the limits of what he considers to be within the guidelines set by the FIA for racing in Formula 1. It especially becomes a theme when the 27-year-old fights for a win.

Despite being a three-time drivers’ champion, Verstappen often fails to perform when racing wheel-to-wheel against a competitive rival driver for another team. Throughout his career in the pinnacle of motorsport, question marks have remained for his skill to fight clean and fair.

F1’s rules gave Max Verstappen a ‘free pass’ to force Carlos Sainz off in the Mexican GP

Lewis Hamilton learned the hard way that Verstappen will push the limits in his desperation to stay in front of a title rival in 2021. The Mercedes driver found himself forced off the road at Imola, Barcelona and especially Brazil during a titanic yet controversial title fight that year.

This term, it has been Lando Norris who has learned the extremes that Verstappen will go to in his quest to stay ahead in a title fight. The McLaren and Red Bull duo first came to contact during the Austrian Grand Prix when Verstappen hit Norris and saw the Briton have to retire.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Controversy also continued to surround the Dutchman in Austin, Texas when Norris received a five-second time penalty for overtaking Verstappen off the circuit, despite the Red Bull ace forcing him off on Lap 52. Verstappen had also escaped a penalty for forcing Norris off on L1.

After escaping penalties at the US Grand Prix, Verstappen felt he could get away with forcing Carlos Sainz off at the start of the Mexico City GP, as well. He left the pole-sitting Ferrari star no room on the outside as the Dutchman steamed through to lead from second on the grid.

For Hill, Verstappen made ‘no effort’ to award Sainz the space the Ferrari driver deserved at the start of the Mexico City GP. But the 1996 Formula 1 champion adds the Red Bull ace was under no obligation to leave room as the FIA’s guidelines for racing leave scope for the state.

“So, Turn 1, Max made no effort to give Carlos any room. And why should he?” Hill noted on X (formerly Twitter). “The rules give you a free pass. C’est la guerre.”

Max Verstappen got two 10-second time penalties for forcing Lando Norris off the track

Hill ended his post with the French phrase C’est la guerre, which means that’s war in English to further highlight his feelings on Verstappen’s overtake on Sainz at the start of the Mexico City GP. It was not the last controversial moment that the Red Bull racer got involved in, too.

READ MORE: The five worst moments of Max Verstappen’s career in Formula 1

Verstappen continued to try and play jump rope with the regulations as Norris bid to steal P2 soon after Sainz swept by on Lap 9 with DRS. The Briton saw a chance to get ahead of his title rival on L10 with DRS into Turn 4. But Verstappen once again forced Norris off the road.

Verstappen again simply drove Norris off the road at Turn 7 as he immediately sought to get back ahead of the Bristol-born pilot. The Dutchman made no attempt to stay on the track as he shot down the McLaren’s inside, causing one of two 10-second time penalties he earned.