Verstappen bemoans "excessive" Mexican GP penalty
Red Bull driver handed five-second penalty for clash with Norris
Max Verstappen has described the five-second penalty he received for his clash with Lando Norris at the Mexican Grand Prix as "excessive".
The Red Bull driver was handed the penalty after he collided with Norris on the opening lap of the race, sending the McLaren driver into a spin.
Verstappen was also given two penalty points on his license for the incident
The stewards deemed that Verstappen was predominantly at fault for the collision, as he failed to leave enough space for Norris on the inside.
Verstappen, however, believes that the penalty was too harsh and that he was not entirely to blame for the incident.
"I think it was a racing incident," Verstappen said. "I was ahead, I was on the inside, and I had the right to the corner."
The five-second penalty cost Verstappen a potential podium finish, as he eventually finished fourth behind Sergio Perez, Lewis Hamilton, and George Russell.
The result means that Verstappen's lead in the drivers' championship has been reduced to just 19 points with two races remaining.
Norris, meanwhile, was able to continue after the incident and eventually finished ninth.
The McLaren driver said he was "disappointed" with the collision, but he accepted the stewards' decision.
"I think it was a fair decision," Norris said. "Max was on the inside, but I was alongside him and I had the right to be there."
The incident between Verstappen and Norris was one of several controversial moments during the Mexican Grand Prix.
The race was also marred by a number of safety car periods, which led to some drivers expressing their frustration.
Verstappen said that the safety car periods "ruined the race" and that he was "not a fan" of the way they were used.
"I think they need to find a better way to manage the safety car," Verstappen said. "It's not fair to the drivers who are leading the race."
Despite the controversy, the Mexican Grand Prix was a thrilling race that saw Perez take his third victory of the season.
