Max Verstappen and Lando Norris decision explained by F1 legend and Austrian GP steward

F1 legend and steward Johnny Herbert believes Max Verstappen's 10-second penalty was proportionate, despite McLaren claiming he was not punished enough for his collision with Lando Norris.

With only seven laps to go at the Austrian GP, Verstappen and Norris collided with each other at turn three of the Red Bull Ring. As Norris looked to pass the Dutchman on the outside, Verstappen drove into his path and tapped the brakes, resulting in Norris making contact with the rear of the car.

The Brit suffered a punctured tyre that would end his race prematurely. Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty for the incident, but managed to recover and claim a fifth-placed finish which could prove to be vital. Despite both drivers enduring frustrating races, Verstappen's recovery meant he was able to extend his lead at the top from 71 points to 81.

A furious Norris slammed Verstappen's "dangerous" driving while McLaren team principal Andrea Stella drew parallels between the collision and the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP incident, where Lewis Hamilton crashed into Verstappen's rear shortly after being instructed to let him pass. While some argue Verstappen's punishment was too lenient, Herbert is of the opinion that justice was served.

While speaking on behalf of Coin Poker, Herbert said: "When we were watching it, it immediately came down to whose fault was it. And it was Max's.

"The interesting thing is we were just about to penalise Lando at the time because he had gone outside the track limit four times and we gave him a five-second penalty literally at the moment they came into contact. We were dealing with that when the contact happened and I looked up and saw the tyre off."

Herbert, when quizzed on whether a sterner punishment than a 10-second penalty was possible, responded: "That is the hardest one that can be applied under FIA guidelines that we operate under as stewards. McLaren have said it should have been harsher, but that is the game all teams play.

Norris and Verstappen collided with seven laps to go
(Image: (Image: YouTube/FORMULA One))

"If someone had flipped over or been barrel rolling down the track I don't know if that would have changed things. Forcing a driver off the circuit or causing an incident is what it came under. That was the maximum sanction we could have taken."

Despite aiming to clinch victory in every race, Verstappen succeeded in widening his lead at the top after the event in Spielberg. His fifth-place finish meant he stretched his advantage over second-placed Norris from 71 points to a more comfortable 81.

This outcome undoubtedly ruffled feathers at Norris' camp and McLaren, especially since the British driver has been hot on Verstappen's heels lately, reports the Express. Stella reflected on the collision, claiming Verstappen's is still driving recklessly, as he did when he was battling Hamilton.

Johnny Herbert was an F1 steward at the Austrian GP
(Image: Getty Images)

Stella said: "The entire population in the world would know who was responsible (for the crash) except for a group of people. But the problem behind it is that if you don't address these things honestly, then they will come back.

"They came back today because they were not addressed in the past where there were some fights with Lewis that needed to be punished in a harsher way. We have so much respect for Max and we have so much respect for Red Bull that they don't need to do this.

"They compromise their reputations, and why would you do that? The stewards found Max was fully at blame so it is not about racing in a driver's way, but about racing within the regulations, and the regulations must be enforced in a way that is effective because when a car is out of the race as a consequence of this accident, the punishment needs to be proportionate to the outcome."

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