Max Verstappen “exploiting” F1’s rulebook an “art form” says Red Bull’s head of sporting regulations

Max Verstappen’s grasp of Formula 1’s rulebook has been described as an “art form” by Red Bull’s racing director Stephen Knowles. Speaking on The Inside Track podcast, he discussed the Dutchman’s extensive knowledge of the sporting regulations and how the driver has been able to leverage this in his racing.

Knowles, who has served as Red Bull’s head of sporting regulations since the exit of Jonathan Wheatley, complimented Verstappen’s exploitation of the rules, arguing that it is just as big a part of his performance as his “raw pace” is.

“He’s got a really, really good understanding of the sporting regs and the driving guidelines.

“And I know that’s also been covered a lot in that he’s kind of made an art form of learning exactly what you can and cannot do, what you should and should not do and really kind of exploiting that.

“And it sometimes maybe splits opinion, but I think that that’s an area of performance like anything else.

“I think that the rules that we go racing are part of the sporting landscape and making the most out of that is a big part, big area [of his] performance in the same way as raw pace is,” he explained.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images

Verstappen’s ability to drive within the regulations, albeit an ability that has sometimes received criticism, has become a defining characteristic of his driving. Last year’s United States Grand Prix was a clear example of this as McLaren’s Lando Norris was penalised for an attempt to pass Verstappen in the latter stages of the race. With both drivers leaving the track, Norris was given a five-second penalty, prompting comments from the Red Bull ace.

“At the end of the day, you cannot overtake outside of the white line,” he said ahead of the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix. “That’s a very clear rule and I’ve been done by it myself.

“I don’t understand why suddenly now we need to ask and scream for changes in the regulation when it’s been like that forever. I grew up go-karting, F3, F1, you know that you cannot pass outside of the white line. It’s as simple as that.

“It’s how the rules are written. I didn’t make the rules, first of all, I just follow the rules as much as I can. Of course, sometimes you get caught out with it, we’ve had that in the past. I just implement the rules and play with them.”

This clear-cut approach from the reigning champion is a characteristic appreciated by Knowles.

“He takes a lot on board. We have very honest chats. He’s not the kind of person that you need to skirt around an issue with. You can be very direct, which I really appreciate.”