Karun Chandhok says Max Verstappen is ‘exploiting’ F1 regulations after Lewis Hamilton ‘divebomb’

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Max Verstappen is one of the best drivers to race in Formula 1, and Karun Chandhok has pinpointed one aspect of his skill set that he has mastered over his career in the racing category.

Upon his entry to F1 as a wide-eyed 17-year-old, Verstappen developed a reputation for his aggressive style of driving that both thrilled and infuriated those who tuned in every week to watch him race.

Now a four-time world champion in the sport, the Red Bull star still has his aggressive tendencies, but the way in which he utilises them has become more calculated, and it is one of the many reasons why he has enjoyed so much success.

During the previous round of racing in Mexico City, Verstappen was on the more favourable side of a decision which saw Lewis Hamilton slapped with a 10-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

As Verstappen wasn’t penalised for appearing to do the same thing at a different corner during the initial foray into turn one, many have now called for the FIA to tighten their guidelines on how the penalty is applied during Grands Prix.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen shares the biggest reason McLaren have outclassed Red Bull in 2025

Karun Chandhok highlights how Max Verstappen is ‘exploiting’ the FIA’s guidelines on racing to the ‘fullest extent’

Upon the reception of Hamilton’s time penalty, F1 fans were left puzzled as to why Verstappen hadn’t received the same punishment.

The Dutchman was deemed to have slowed down enough following his re-entry to the race track to save himself from the consequences of his actions.

Speaking as part of Sky Sports F1’s coverage of FP1 at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Karun Chandhok highlighted how good the four-time world champion is at knowing the rules and avoiding such penalties.

The former F1 driver said, “When the guidelines came out, it was kind of put forward as a live document that would keep evolving, and with dialogue from the drivers and teams. But it’s not actually changed as the season’s unfolded, we should say. 

“At the moment, Verstappen is the master of driving to the guidelines. He’s exploiting the guidelines to the fullest extent. He absolutely dive bombed down the inside of Lewis Hamilton into turn one. 

“They made a bit of contact, and Lewis ended up running wide. But the point is, in the guidelines, all it says is about positioning from the braking zone, or the turn-in, to the apex of the corner. It doesn’t say anything from the apex, the exit, and Max is exploiting that.”

READ MORE: Alex Jacques reveals what Max Verstappen’s F1 rivals really think about his title hopes vs McLaren

Lewis Hamilton rehashed his fury with the FIA’s decisions at the Mexico City Grand Prix

Chandhok was surprised that Ferrari hadn’t told Hamilton to back off following his venture from the race track. If the seven-time world champion had lifted and allowed the Red Bull driver to gain some time on him, the penalty may have been avoided.

Upon his arrival at the Interlagos circuit for this weekend’s Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver’s fury hadn’t subsided.

Hamilton told journalists during his Thursday afternoon media duties, via ESPN, “There isn’t any clarity, and I think that’s probably a part of the big issue. Transparency and accountability. And also kind of like the secrecy that decisions are made in the background.

“I think it’s something that definitely needs to be tackled. But it’s probably something that needs to be done in the background, I would imagine.

“I don’t know if they’re aware of the weight of their decisions. You know, they ultimately steer careers, can decide the results of championships, as you’ve seen in the past. So yeah, some work needs to be done there, I’m sure.”