According to George Russell, “19 out of 20” Formula One drivers feel that the sport’s racing rules should be changed “today” if required.
Racing rules have come under scrutiny following the last two Grands Prix, in which Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were penalized for aggressive racing.
Norris was penalized five seconds in the United States Grand Prix two weeks ago for overtaking the Red Bull driver off the track, despite the fact that the Briton claimed he was forced wide. Then, during last week’s Mexican Grand Prix, Verstappen received two 10-second penalties for his attitude to racing the McLaren driver.
Changes to F1’s racing criteria for 2025 will be debated at a conference later this year, where Russell will represent his colleagues as director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, which works with the FIA.
However, Russell has stated that practically every F1 driver supports changing the rules before the end of the season, if necessary. However, he did not identify the dissenting voice among the 20 drivers.
“I think the stewards are totally on board with what needs to change,” Russell told Planet F1 and other reporters following the Mexican Grand Prix.
“Our perspective is, I believe, that the most contentious issue is that they wanted to wait until ’25, so [the rules] remain uniform throughout the year. I would say 19 out of 20 drivers responded, ‘Well, if that’s wrong, change it today.’
“I’m delighted to see those actions were punished today, and I believe, moving ahead in Brazil, what we witnessed today and last week… you won’t get away with [that].
“You’d expect [it to be a brief talk with the FIA], but it often appears more difficult than it should be when things need to be approved.
“Then we’ve got to go to a vote […] but as I said: 19 out of 20, we’re all in agreement on where
It has to be. The Brazilian Grand Prix takes occur on Sunday, November 3, with Verstappen leading Norris by 47 points in the drivers’ standings.
Defending champion Verstappen finished sixth in Mexico last weekend, with Norris second and Carlos Sainz winning for Ferrari.
Following the Brazilian Grand Prix, Norris will have three races remaining to challenge Verstappen’s lead: the Grand Prix of Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
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