"He's better than that": Max Verstappen's antics draw criticism from F1 pundit

Former F1 driver and pundit Martin Brundle claimed that Red Bull driver Max Verstappen's antics at the Mexican Grand Prix were "way past the limit". The three-time world champion, in his attempt to keep his championship rival McLaren driver Lando Norris behind him, made some controversial moves on Lap 10.

The Dutch driver pushed the Brit off the track after banging wheels in Turn 4 and later dive-bombed him before the start of the snake-like esses which took both drivers off on the same lap.

Verstappen was punished for his dangerous maneuvers by the race stewards who gave him two separate 10-second penalties for both excursions, which ultimately meant that Norris got the P3 before the pitstops.

Speaking with Sky Sports, after the race, Martin Brundle wasn't impressed with Max Verstappen's driving and criticized the 27-year-old, saying:

"[The Turn 7 incident] is just a red mist moment, and actually a ridiculous moment. He took the pair of them off, and he was lucky he didn't get a drive-through penalty or something. I'm so in awe of Max, and I hate it when he does that sort of thing. He's better than that. He's too good."

"I think he's carrying frustration because he's got the third fastest car at the moment. We know he's feisty, and we know he's aggressive - and that's what you want, we're about that - but there is a limit. That second incident was way past the limit. If he keeps getting penalties, he'll have to tame it."

Lando Norris gives his take on his battle with Max Verstappen

McLaren driver Lando Norris stated that the incident with Max Verstappen after the safety car restart was "self-explanatory" and pointed out that he was expecting a "tough battle" with the Red Bull driver.

In his post-race press conference, the 24-year-old said:

"I don't think I need to say much. Yeah, I think it's pretty self-explanatory what happened. You know, I did everything I've been told in terms of what the rules are and the guidelines and all of this stuff, yet it just wasn't to be."

"It's clear that it doesn't matter if he wins or second, his only job is to beat me in the race. And he'll sacrifice himself to do that like he did today. But I want to have good battles with him. I want to have those tough battles like I've seen him have plenty of times. But fair ones," Norris said.

After finishing the Mexican Grand Prix in P2, Norris took 10 points off Max Verstappen in the championship battle with four races and two sprints remaining in the 2024 season. The Red Bull driver leads by 47 points after finishing P6 in the race in Mexico.