Martin Brundle Calls for Simplified F1 Rules Amid Controversial Norris Penalty at US Grand Prix

Martin Brundle calls for a significant revision to Formula 1's racing regulations following Lando Norris's penalty. He argues that the rules for driving require major adjustments and should be made much simpler.

Renowned Formula 1 commentator Martin Brundle believes that the sport's driving rules require significant adjustments after the controversy involving Lando Norris and Max Verstappen during the United States Grand Prix.

Norris received a contentious five-second penalty for "going off the track and gaining an advantage" while battling with Verstappen at Turn 12.

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The McLaren racer was seen as having completed an overtaking move outside the track boundaries after Verstappen forced him to the edge.

In this case, although Verstappen left the track, he avoided a penalty since, as the driver defending his position, he was the first to reach the apex.

The event sparked an extensive discussion regarding the enforcement of regulations and overall management.

In his post-race column for Sky Sports F1, Brundle criticized the condition of current F1 tracks and urged for rule modifications to simplify them.

He mentioned that during the Austrian Grand Prix, it was observed that a basic gravel strip and other track elements can deter drivers from straying off the designated course, without the need for tall curbs that could dangerously propel cars into the air.

"Switching and sending this back for motorcycle racing is a financial burden, as it just isn't effective in that context. However, within the broader scope of Formula 1, it's not a major expense."

The issues stem from the design of the tracks and the areas for runoff, while increasingly complicated driving regulations are unable to address the wide range of problems that arise. It's unjust to solely fault the referees, as that won't fix the issue. There needs to be a significant revision and simplification of the driving rules.

The penalty given to Norris was not the only one that faced intense examination.

George Russell received a five-second penalty for his maneuver on Valtteri Bottas at the same turn.

Russell received a penalty despite his efforts to allow Bottas space during the turn, which contrasts with Verstappen's approach with Norris, where he did not make the same effort.

This lack of consistency was something that bothered Brundle.

He remarked that he was puzzled about what occurred to the previously effective 'let them race' strategy.

In my opinion, if you overtake another car on the inside of a turn while maintaining control, avoiding wheel lock, and staying within the track boundaries, you have successfully claimed the corner. This allows you to follow the usual racing path on the way out. It becomes the responsibility of the overtaken driver to give way, rather than accelerating and inadvertently veering off course.

In Austin, George Russell received what many considered an unfair penalty due to the enforcement of the rules. Others have faced similar consequences. If Russell faced a penalty for forcing Valtteri Bottas off the track, shouldn't Max Verstappen have also been penalized for pushing Lando Norris wide at the same corner?

Here's another question to consider: After Norris overtook Verstappen on the outside before reaching turn 12, when Verstappen surged back on the inside, who was actually executing the overtake at the apex of the corner, Verstappen or Norris? The situation is even more complex than it seems.

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