Verstappen “not going to cry” after landing costly penalties in Mexico

Max Verstappen says he’s “not going to cry” about receiving two 10-second penalties in the Formula 1 Mexico City GP while also refusing to give an opinion on the decisions made by the FIA stewards.

Just a week after their incident in Austin Verstappen became involved in another battle with title rival Lando Norris.

The Red Bull driver received his first penalty for forcing Norris off-track at Turn 4, and then received another for gaining an advantage by going off track at Turn 7 a few seconds later.

He dropped to 11^th when served the combined penalties at his pit stop, and eventually recovered to finish sixth.

“Honestly, 20 seconds is a lot, but I’m not going to cry about it, and I’m also not going to share my opinion,” said Verstappen.

“The biggest problem that I have is that today was a bad day in terms of race pace. That was quite clear again, on the mediums and on the hard tyres.”

Pushed on the incidents he said: “I just felt that the Turn 4 was bit more of like a question mark. Turn 7 is what it is. That’s it.

“Honestly, those two things are also not my problem. The problem is that we are too slow, and that’s why I’m being put in those kinds of positions. That is my problem.”

Verstappen added: “We didn’t touch so we’re just racing hard.”

Asked by formu1a.uno if he was satisfied with discussions about FIA driving guidelines over the Mexican weekend he downplayed their significance.

“At the end of the day, everyone speaks for themselves. Of course, can the rules be better? Maybe, yes, maybe not. It’s always the same thing.

“I mean, I just drive how I think I have to drive. Last week that was all right. This week, 20-second penalty. It is what it is. Life goes on.”

Expanding on his trouble race Verstappen made it clear he had several issues.

“I mean, to get back to sixth was alight, but then I couldn’t even find the Mercedes cars in front,” he said. “I just had no grip. I was just sliding a lot. I couldn’t brake so, yeah, it was very tough one.

“We’re trying. Austin was more promising, here again was a bit more tough, so it’s a bit odd. But a few things to look at, and hopefully of course in Brazil we can be more competitive.”

Regarding his trimmed championship lead he said: “It’s still 47 points. So hopefully we could just be a little bit more competitive.”