Formula 1 racing rules will be changed before the end of the year after the drivers’ “productive meeting” · RaceFans

Following the controversial incident between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in Austin, Formula 1's driving standards guidelines are expected to be revised before the end of the season.

Norris lost third place in the race when he was given a five-second time penalty for overtaking Verstappen off the track. McLaren tried to overturn the decision by arguing that Norris overtook Verstappen near the corner and the Red Bull driver regained the position by driving off the track himself. However, the stewards refused to consider McLaren's argument, claiming they had failed to provide the new evidence needed to hold a hearing.

However, several drivers expressed concerns about this and other decisions made over the United States Grand Prix weekend. The matter was raised at a meeting between them and race director Niels Wittich on Friday.

Carlos Sainz Jr. said he expected the rules to be revised before the end of the season, but suggested that might not happen until the penultimate round in December.

“I think it was a positive, productive meeting,” said Sainz. “Many drivers commented on how they felt in each situation and what we believe is the best way forward.

“However you interpret the rules and driving guidelines that the stewards will use to issue penalties, they will still be the same this weekend and probably I think they will be applied in a similar way.”

“But I think it was a productive meeting going forward and I think we will find some solutions in Qatar which I think will hopefully lead to a better understanding for the riders and better racing in general.” Hopefully it should it should be better.”

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George Russell, one of the directors of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, who was also penalized in Austin for another incident, said Thursday that current rules did not allow for penalizing drivers who went off the track to maintain their position defend.

“When I look back on everything, I think my sentence was correct according to the letter of the law. I think Lando was right, here too he went off the track and overtook according to the letter of the law.

“Max is definitely braking too late. He didn't take the corner, went off the pitch and probably should have been punished. But there is no regulation in the regulation other than “observing the route limits”. That’s why I think there should be an extra line there if you slow yourself down.”

However, he pointed out that the asphalt run-off areas at the Circuit of the Americas are too easily exploited by drivers and should also be changed, as has already been the case at other venues this year.

“If there was a gravel bed at the exit of the curve, none of the drivers would drive there. I think we're kind of going around in circles.

“The root cause of the problem is the distance that allows you to run far. So in the short term we have to change something, but in the long term this is the solution.”

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