Brown tells Verstappen ‘drive like a champion’

In brief

Brown blasts Verstappen’s “outrageous” driving

After Verstappen was given two 10-second time penalties for forcing McLaren’s Lando Norris off the track, Brown said he put other drivers in danger.

“Max is such an awesome racing driver, I just don’t think you need to drive like that,” he told Viaplay. “Just drive like the world champion that you are.

“It’s unnecessary, it puts everybody at risk and it’s not clean racing. So I thought the penalties were very appropriate. Hats off to the FIA stewards and let’s have some clean racing, hard racing the balance of the year.”

He believes Verstappen cost Norris a chance to win by spoiling his own race. “It probably cost us the race or a chance at the win,” he said. “So it’s pretty disappointing because while he ruined his own race him maybe took a win away from us.”

Mercedes experimenting with car

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says the team can afford to take a more experimental approach to the final races as they are virtually guaranteed to finish fourth in the constructors’ championship.

“Despite the challenges in the US and Mexico, we have furthered our learning with the W15,” he said ahead of this weekend’s race. “Given our position in the championship, we have been able to test things out with little penalty.

“Whilst we are still focused on maximising our result each and every weekend, that testing and learning will be valuable in setting us up strongly for 2025. We will continue that approach this weekend in Brazil.”

Lacorte gets F3 seat

Alpine junior Nicola Lacorte will make his Formula 3 debut for DAMS next year. He scored three points in the Formula Regional European Championship last year and picked up a win in the Oceania series.

Upgrades for spectators at Le Mans

Spectators at the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours will benefit from upgraded facilities, says the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. A new grass banks will offer better views of the dramatic Porsche Curves, extra grandstands are being put up at Maison Blanche and a new spectator area is being created at Tertre Rouge.

Links

Verstappen’s ‘shocking’ move on Norris analysed (Sky)

Martin Brundle: ‘I know that Max doesn’t care what anybody thinks, but it saddens me when he drives like that. He’s a multiple champion, has more driving talent in his little finger than most of us ever had, but his legacy will be tainted by this sporting attitude and that’s a shame.’

Is IndyCar’s once-promising pathway to F1 now a road closed? (ESPN)

‘A rumour made the rounds months ago regarding Palou and interest the upcoming Audi F1 team might have in his services, but the speculation failed to account for the duration of his updated Ganassi contract and how – after going through two summers of nonsense with Palou – Ganassi was never going to grant the release of his lead driver.’

Introducing the karters who are already F1 juniors (Formula Scout)

‘More money equals more track time and better equipment, which lead to improved driving and improved results respectively. That ultimately makes those drivers more attractive prospects to sponsor and support since they’re getting the results that makes financial investments in their career worthwhile, and are also further along the development curve than their peers with less track time. The (children of the) rich generally get richer, and faster.’

FIA continues to invest in senior leadership transformation with appointment of chief development officer (FIA)

‘Turki, who hails from Tunisia and previously served as Director of Tourism Services, has played a key role in fostering partnerships with the United Nations and various NGOs, growing the FIA’s global presence.’

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