Did F1 stewards get Verstappen decisions right in Mexico?

Another race, another series of stewards’ decisions that divide opinion.

Over the past two grands prix, the title battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris has erupted in two thrilling on-track battles, only for the outcome of both to be decided by the stewards.

At the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage dropped Norris off the podium and behind Verstappen, but in Mexico the tables were turned, with the Red Bull driver on the receiving end of two decisions.

In total, Verstappen was given 20 seconds’ worth of penalties for two separate incidents on the same lap, which dropped him from third place ahead of Norris to 15th after serving the penalties at his pit stop. He went on to recover to sixth place at the chequered flag, conceding 10 points in the championship to Norris, who finished second.

All three of the incidents between the title rivals in the past two races have raised questions about what is and what isn’t allowed when racing wheel to wheel in Formula 1. And with so much at stake, there’s a concern that loopholes in the rules are wide open for exploitation that could, ultimately, decide the title.

Concerns after Norris’ penalty in Austin have been acknowledged by the FIA but are not due to be addressed until the Qatar Grand Prix in two races’ time and might not come into force until the start of next season. The challenge facing the stewards until then will likely be a thankless one: making tough calls based on questionable guidelines that could lead to hugely controversial decisions.

Below is a look at the main decisions made by the stewards in Mexico, the reasons they gave for them and why the controversy is nearly inescapable.

Lap 10: Verstappen vs. Norris at Turn 4

What happened?

Verstappen lost the lead of the race to Carlos Sainz on the previous lap and now had Norris in his mirrors on the exit of Turn 3. With the McLaren closing in, Verstappen positioned his car in the middle of the track on the approach to the braking zone for Turn 4, meaning Norris decided to go to the outside knowing Verstappen could block the inside.

Norris left his braking later than Verstappen, meaning he was ahead of the Red Bull under braking. As they both approached the apex of the corner, Norris left enough room to the inside of Turn 4 for Verstappen to…