At the Mexico Grand Prix, Max Verstappen found himself four-wide at the first corner, sandwiched on the outside by Lando Norris, Ferraris, and other contenders.

Faced with heavy traffic and locking up under braking, Verstappen cut across the outside curb, skipping the racing line through Turns 1, 2, and 3. Former F1 driver Martin Brundle condemned the maneuver as reckless, calling for a drive-through penalty to discourage such “silliness.”

Brundle argued that Verstappen made no effort to navigate the corners properly and capitalized on an escape road that essentially allowed him to ‘make his own racetrack’ and gain an unfair advantage. This kind of corner cutting, Brundle warned, risks turning first corners into chaotic scenes every year.​

Contrasting Perspectives and the Rulebook’s Limits

Not all experts agreed with Brundle’s harsh assessment. 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve acknowledged Verstappen’s risky driving but noted that the rules do not account for driver intent, making it difficult to penalize such moves.

According to Villeneuve, Verstappen technically stayed within the rules by giving way and rejoining safely. Critics fret these gaps in regulations encourage aggressive tactics that exploit escape routes like the grassy areas at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, eroding traditional racing discipline.

The controversy highlights a disconnect between what is legal and what fans and analysts deem sportsmanlike.​

Wider Implications for Formula 1 Racing

The Mexico GP incidents, including Verstappen’s corner cutting and similar moves by Charles Leclerc, underscored ongoing challenges in regulating track limits and corner-cutting penalties.

Drivers like George Russell have voiced frustration, calling the racing “lawnmower racing,” while Fernando Alonso cheekily hinted at trying similar tactics if not penalized.

With Verstappen still a championship contender after his podium finish, debates over whether to strictly enforce penalties or revise rules for corner cutting will intensify. Ensuring fair and safe competition without discouraging driver creativity remains a balancing act for race officials in Formula 1’s dynamic environment.