Max Verstappen has been handed two penalty points for his actions during the Mexican Grand Prix.
The Dutchman was coming under pressure from title rival Lando Norris during lap 10 of Sunday night's race. The duo were battling for second place, with Norris forced wide while attempting to go around the outside at Turn 4.
The McLaren driver cut the grass at Turn 5 and re-joined ahead of Verstappen, before the Red Bull star then attempted to re-gain the position by lunging to the inside into the left-hander at Turn 8. But both Verstappen and Norris went wide through the run-off, allowing Charles Leclerc through. The stewards immediately launched an investigation and Verstappen was given two seperate 10-second penalties.
Following the race, the stewards recalled the written document for the first penalty. When it was republished, they had added two penalty points to Verstappen's super-licence, with drivers allowed 12 in a 12 month period.
Explaining their decision, the stewards said: "The Stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, radio and in-car video evidence. Norris was attempting to overtake on the outside of Verstappen at Turn 4.
"Norris was ahead of Verstappen at the entry, apex and towards the exit of the turn when he started being forced off the track. The Stewards believe that the maneuver was done in a safe and controlled manner and that Norris would have been able to make the maneuver on the track had he not been forced off the track by Verstappen.
"Norris cut the corner but immediately gave the position he gained as a result back to Sainz. The penalty is the standard penalty in such cases.
"Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits."
Verstappen would ultimately finish sixth, having been forced to serve his 20-second penalty at his pit stop. Norris meanwhile claimed second and hit out at Verstappen for his driving style after the race.
"The first few laps, a lot of it was just trying to stay in the race and avoid any crashes. I knew what to expect. I did not want to expect such a thing, because I respect Max a lot as a driver, but I was ready for something like this," Norris said.
"It was not very clean driving, in my opinion, but I avoided it and it was a good race. I will just keep my head down and do my best. We are doing a very good job as a team. All we can do is focus on ourselves and we will keep pushing."
