Source:REUTERS/ANNA SZILAGYI
[Saba Sports News] According to motorsport.com, Red Bull’s sporting regulations chief, Stefan Nohles, stated that Max Verstappen has elevated his ability to understand and utilize F1 rules to an “art form,” which is as crucial to his success as his pure speed. Recently, Nohles discussed the Dutch driver’s deep understanding of race regulations in a podcast and how he leverages these rules to gain an advantage during races. He remarked, “Many have noticed that he has almost turned learning what is permissible and what is not into an art. Sometimes this can spark controversy, but I think, like in other fields, it’s all part of competition. The rules themselves are part of the racing environment, and maximizing their use is an important aspect of his performance, just like speed itself.”
Verstappen’s ability to drive within the regulations has become a defining characteristic of his driving style. A notable example is last year’s US Grand Prix, where McLaren driver Lando Norris attempted to overtake Verstappen towards the end of the race, resulting in both drivers going off track, leading to a 5-second penalty for Norris. In response, Verstappen expressed a clear opinion: “Ultimately, you cannot overtake outside the white line. This is a very clear rule, and I have been penalized for it myself in the past. I don’t understand why there’s suddenly a call to change this rule; it has always been like this. From karting to F3 to F1, you know you cannot overtake outside the white line — it’s that simple.”