Verstappen labelled ‘F1’s Dick Dastardly’ after latest Norris clash

Max Verstappen has been compared to F1’s version of Dick Dastardly following his moves against Lando Norris in Mexico. 

The Red Bull driver forced title rival Norris off track at Turn 4 on lap 10 when the McLaren attempted a move around the outside. 

Moments later, Verstappen lunged both cars off track at Turn 7 in retaliation – a move Norris branded “dangerous”, with Verstappen picking up two 10-second time penalties and two penalty points from the stewards, eventually finishing sixth to Norris’s second.

It means Verstappen now holds a 47-point lead in the standings over Norris, as 1996 world champion Damon Hill compared the Dutchman to the iconic Wacky Races character Dastardly, who with his sidekick, Mutley, would concoct ways of sabotaging rivals that would usually backfire.

“The more regulations you put in, the more loopholes you create, it is a big can of worms,” Hill told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

“He was right to get a penalty, but whether 10 seconds was the right penalty, I don’t know, but the second move he did was just daft.

“It was Dick Dastardly stuff, he just simply accelerated to the apex and just pushed Lando off track, who didn’t have much option.

“It was silly driving, and Max let himself down there. He’s got such brilliance and a massive competitive spirit, but I don’t think it was something to be proud of what he did.

“The problem Max has got is that he simply refuses to concede any turf at all to anyone in an overtake, that is the situation.”