F1 introduces the Verstappen rule

Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, following a vocal drivers meeting, Formula One introduced the ‘Verstappen Rule’.

The ‘Verstappen Rule’ as we at Vital F1 will refer to it, prevents a defending driver to manoeuvre within the braking zone of a corner to block an attacking driver behind.

Sound familiar? Well it would, as it is a style of driving that Dutchman Max Verstappen has been displaying this season driving for Red Bull Racing.

The 19-year-old and youngest Formula One winner in history, has made some rather uncomfortable moves on the likes of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes Lewis Hamilton.

Whilst his defence has been strong and arguably hard but fair, it has created some near miss incidents.

If the driver behind has to take action to avoid an incident, either crashing into the back of Verstappen or going off the track, then has Verstappen then crossed a line?

Verstappen himself doesn’t think so.

‘If anyone can just outbrake you while the other can do nothing under braking, then that does not seem very interesting.’ Verstappen told motorsport.com.

He added: ‘If the driver in front can dive to the right, then the driver who is behind him can still move to the left. Because he’s even further away from the braking point than the driver in front.

‘So I think they shouldn’t make a big deal about it. But most of the other drivers seem to have a different opinion on this.’

He concluded: ‘In the end they all think by themselves: ‘I wish I would have done that!’ Some will think that as well. But of course they wanted to have a rule there to make it easier to get past me,’

Whether the other drivers just wanted a rule to make it easier to overtake Verstappen, or they thought his defence does cross a line is up for debate.

But they do all seem to be singing from the very same hymn sheet.

‘We’re travelling at serious speeds so commit to your defence, but don’t do it while in braking. I think it’s great that Charlie [Whiting] has understood the majority of drivers’ opinions. Lewis Hamilton told Sky Sports.

‘It’s a very high risk situation and it’s very, very difficult for the guy behind to avoid an accident in such a case because the guy behind is on the lunge and is at the absolute limit. There’s nothing he can do, he can’t steer anymore. So I think it’s good that it’s been addressed.’ Nico Rosberg added.

Jenson Button said: ‘It’s common sense more than anything else, for 15 years of racing I haven’t really had any issues, it’s just the last couple of years that we have. Now it’s clear, they’ve clarified it and I’m happy about it.’

Sebastian Vettel told the media: ‘I think it’s very simple. The day I joined Formula 1 it was clear, there was sort of an unwritten law. In recent times we’ve obviously had situations and got away with it, so for sure then the message is that everybody is starting to do it, which is the wrong thing because in the end, which we spoke about on Friday, we’re just waiting for something to happen. Therefore I think it’s a good action.’