In Austin, Norris was given a five-second penalty for going off the observe and gaining a bonus making an attempt to overhaul Verstappen. The Briton refused to provide the place again after Verstappen complained, highlighting he had been forward on the apex. The stewards, nonetheless, disagreed with Norris.
Many drivers made it clear they felt Verstappen’s driving was not truthful in Austin and instructed the FIA that the racing tips wanted altering to deal with the kind of ways the Dutchman had employed.
Every week later in Mexico, the 2 drivers clashed once more, with Verstappen being given a combined 20-second penalty for 2 incidents with Norris on the identical lap. Norris referred to as Verstappen’s driving “harmful” and flagged once more that he was forward of the three-time world champion into the nook throughout the first tussle.
“I believe we have to take a step again and never over-regulate what occurs on the observe. We by no means used to try this in Components 1,” mentioned Brown.
“I believe we’re racing an excessive amount of to a rulebook now versus good quaint racing – simply give the stewards a little bit bit extra discretion. They’ve raced, they know {that a} driver has been pushed off or not, or made a lunge, or not. And never have this black and white rulebook.”
Nevertheless, Brown says he does believe within the governing physique’s president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, following the departures of senior members of FIA workers prior to now 12 months.
Race director Niels Wittich, a substitute for Michael Masi in 2022, left his role with immediate effect on 12 November, with lower than a month of the season remaining.
Wittich was mentioned to have “stepped down” however he instructed BBC Sport final week: “I can verify that I acquired fired and it was not my resolution to go away F1.” The German has been changed from this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix by Rui Marques.
“He would not mess about. He makes choices,” Brown mentioned of Ben Sulayem. “I believe we had been shocked by that call, extra the timing of it.”
McLaren are prime of the constructors’ standings by 36 factors with three races remaining and Brown says “it could be unbelievable” if the workforce may safe their first workforce title since 1998.
“It is exhausting to consider it was that way back,” he added. “That is why we’re right here. We’re right here to win world championships.”
