Max Verstappen once endured one of the most severe penalties in Formula 1 history — a “record-breaking” sanction handed down at the Mexican Grand Prix that left the racing world stunned. It came during the intense closing stages of the 2024 season, when the reigning four-time world champion found himself locked in a heated title duel with McLaren’s Lando Norris. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez became the stage for a fiery confrontation that tested both drivers’ composure and the stewards’ tolerance.
The controversy ignited on Lap 10, when Norris attempted to reclaim second place from Verstappen after Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz had swept past the Dutchman a lap earlier. The McLaren driver launched a daring move around the outside at Turn 4 — only for Verstappen to squeeze him mercilessly toward the grass. The tension didn’t cool for long; by Turn 8, Verstappen lunged back at Norris in a bold dive that sent both cars off the track. The Dutchman rejoined ahead, igniting fury from the McLaren garage and outrage from Norris, who fumed over the radio that Verstappen was “dangerous” and moments away from triggering another crash.
Following a thorough investigation, race stewards delivered their verdict: two separate 10-second time penalties — the harshest cumulative punishment Verstappen had ever received in his F1 career. The ruling cited two clear infringements: forcing another driver off the track and subsequently gaining a lasting advantage by exceeding track limits. Despite the setback, Verstappen’s determination was unshaken; he clawed his way back to finish sixth, salvaging vital points as Norris climbed to an impressive second place.
Verstappen’s post-race reflections were pragmatic rather than furious. “Agree or not, it doesn’t matter — the penalties were given,” he admitted. “But that wasn’t even my biggest problem. The real issue was the lack of pace — the tyres were finished, and I just couldn’t attack. Ferrari and McLaren were untouchable.” His comments revealed a deeper frustration with performance rather than the stewards’ judgment, marking a rare moment of resignation from the notoriously fierce competitor.
Now, as the 2025 championship intensifies, Verstappen finds himself once again chasing glory — this time with Oscar Piastri in his crosshairs. With three wins from the last four races, the Red Bull driver has slashed the points gap to just 40 with five rounds remaining. The ghosts of Mexico 2024 still linger, but Verstappen’s focus is clear: redemption, dominance, and the pursuit of a historic fifth consecutive world title — without the chaos of penalties haunting his campaign.
