P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has denied George Russell’s previous claim that there was one driver who was against changing the F1 racing guidelines mid-season in 2024.
Before the Qatar Grand Prix last weekend, the 20 drivers met with F1 bosses to discuss potential revisions to the racing rules in response to recent controversial stewarding decisions. The decision to consider changes was prompted by the questionable outcomes at the United States Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen avoided penalties for incidents involving Lando Norris. Despite similar incidents occurring with Norris later, Verstappen received penalties in following races, leading to discussions on track limits and penalties. While the Mercedes drivers appreciated the meeting’s productivity, Verstappen emphasized the impact of excessive asphalt run-off areas at most circuits as the main issue. George Russell, GPDA Director, mentioned that not all drivers were fully on board with immediate changes, which Verstappen clarified, stating it was just one driver not aligned. Verstappen has faced criticism for exploiting racing regulations but argued that proper track design, including gravel traps, could deter drivers from abusing rules. He highlighted the complexities of overtaking on the outside depending on corner speeds and track layouts, advocating for a balance between regulations and track characteristics. Verstappen reiterated that F1 is overly regulated currently and expressed the challenges the FIA faces in finding the right balance between rules and on-track actions.
