sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
The 10 rule changes that the FIA have been forced to introduce in F1 because of Max Verstappen
Home>F1
Published 15:46 22 Oct 2024 GMT+1

The 10 rule changes that the FIA have been forced to introduce in F1 because of Max Verstappen

The FIA have released a series of rule changes and clarifications over Verstappen's time in F1.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

The FIA have implemented a series of rule changes during Max Verstappen's time in Formula 1.

The three-time world champion moved into F1 in 2015 with the Toro Rosso team, becoming the youngest driver ever to make his F1 debut at 17 years and 166 days old.

Verstappen would then be promoted to the works Red Bull team in the early stages of the 2016 season, and has stayed with the team ever since.

Over the years, the Dutchman's driving style has seen him push the boundaries - which has seen him receive praise or criticism, depending on the incident - forcing the FIA to make subsequent clarifications and changes to their rulebook in order to avoid a repeat.

Advert

Following controversy involving Verstappen and Lando Norris at the United States Grand Prix, users on Reddit compiled a list of rule changes related to Verstappen - although there are a number of others.

Here are the rule changes and/or clarifications in full:

Minimum super licence age

Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr drove for Toro Rosso in 2015 - Getty
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr drove for Toro Rosso in 2015 - Getty

Verstappen joined Toro Rosso at the age of 16 and successfully obtaining his super licence in time for the 2015 season.

But in January of that year, the FIA brought in new regulations which forced new drivers to be 18 years of age and hold a valid driving licence before they could obtain a super licence.

Moving under braking

At the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen avoided punishment for moving under braking while defending from Lewis Hamilton, despite the Mercedes driver needing to take evasive action.

The FIA subsequently banned drivers from changing direction under braking while defending - although the rule is subjective and therefore isn't applied in all situations.

Unsportsmanlike behaviour clarifications

The FIA issued a clarification on regulations surrounding unsportsmanlike behaviour and physical altercations after an incident between Verstappen and Esteban Ocon following the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix.

The pair collided as Ocon was trying to unlap his rival, and Verstappen confronted him in the weigh-in area following the race in Sao Paulo.

The then FIA race director Charlie Whiting described the nature of Ocon's attempted move as 'unacceptable', and while stating that he had the right to unlap himself on faster tyres, said it should have been done safely.

Overtaking and defending guidelines

Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton had a fierce on-track battle at the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix, with the Dutchman forcing Hamilton off the track on more than one occasion.

Subsequently, the FIA decided to issue a new guideline for defending, which stated that if an overtaking car is 'significantly alongside, the defending driver must leave at least one car's width of space'.

Parc ferme guidelines

After the Grand Prix, cameras caught Verstappen inspecting Hamilton's rear wing in parc ferme conditions - which was prohibited.

He was given a €50,000 fine by the FIA, who subsequently enhanced security measures and monitoring for upcoming Grands Prix and warned that drivers who breached the regulations in future could receive time penalties.

Post-race celebration guidelines

The FIA released new guidelines surrounding post-race dangerous driving after Verstappen performed burnouts across the line to celebrate his victory at the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix.

Drivers now must travel safely back to the pit lane after finishing each Grand Prix and cannot endanger other drivers.

Pit lane guidelines

Drivers were told they could not cross any part of their car over the pit exit line while rejoining the circuit.

Verstappen did so during the race but escaped a penalty. In future, however, any violation would cause a driver to be sanctioned.

New safety car rule

After the 2022 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, the FIA intervened after Verstappen pulled up alongside Charles Leclerc before a safety car restart.

A clarification was added to the rulebook which stated that drivers could not have any part of their car alongside another car before the safety car restart line.

Track limits clarification

After Verstappen overtook Kimi Raikkonen while off the track to finish third in the 2017 United States Grand Prix - he was subsequently penalised and demoted to fourth - the FIA released a new clarification for track limits.

Track limits would subsequently be defined by white lines, with that particular rule being refined and adjusted over time.

The rule came into focus again over the most recent United States Grand Prix weekend when several drivers had lap times deleted and penalties enforced for crossing the white line at the penultimate corner.

Minimum super licence age update

Over nine years on from their original ruling, the FIA decided to update their minimum super licence requirements this summer.

While the original rule stated that drivers had to be 18 years of age, the FIA added a discretion to the wording - which they likely would have applied had Verstappen been in such a situation in 2015.

Following an application from Mercedes to allow Kimi Antonelli - who is 17 - to drive in practice at this year's Italian Grand Prix, the rule now states: 'At the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition may be granted a super licence at the age of 17 years old'.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Recommended reads

Ronnie O’Sullivan says snooker star can win 'multiple world titles' and gives update on futureGetty'The only thing he can do is now is tar his career...' - Arnold Allen gives damning verdict on Conor McGregor's comebackGetty ImagesGareth Barry on Thomas Tuchel advice, England squad picks and World Cup: 'He’ll be fighting'GettyAteba Gautier was called the 'future' by Joe Rogan, but he's more interested in what his cats thinkMike Roach/Zuffa LLC

Advert

Choose your content:

19 days ago
  • SPORTbible
    19 days ago

    Formula E unveil game-changing new car that will have F1 looking over their shoulder

    The new car reaches 0-200kph in just 4.4 seconds, which is 1.5 seconds faster than its predecessor.

    F1
  • Getty
    19 days ago

    Christian Horner 'explores' moving to other sport after being blocked in F1

    Horner was sacked by Red Bull after 20 years in July 2025.

    F1
  • Getty
    19 days ago

    Fernando Alonso issues retirement update ahead of Miami Grand Prix

    The Aston Martin driver has spoken about his future after a torrid start to the season.

    F1
  • Getty
    19 days ago

    F1 have quietly removed controversial new rule that drivers and team bosses hated

    The small change is set to make an important difference in certain parts of each circuit.

    F1
  • Max Verstappen responds to F1 engine regs change after FIA announcement
  • 'Park him' - FIA urged to change rules to suspend Max Verstappen over comments
  • Max Verstappen Has Forced FIA To Introduce 10 New F1 Rules
  • Max Verstappen showcased super-human reflexes during scrap with sumo wrestler