Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Autosport Plus

Why F1’s inconvenient penalties have to stay

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OPINION: Quibbles over the length of time taken by Formula 1's stewards over decisions are entirely valid. But however inconvenient it is, there can be no questioning the importance of having clearly defined rules that everyone understands and can stick to. Recent events have shown that ambiguity could have big consequences

Some penalties are inconvenient but necessary. Was it annoying that Formula 1 fans didn’t get to see Max Verstappen start alongside title rival Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix? Yes. Was his five-place grid penalty correct? Also yes.

There seems to be a feeling in some quarters that penalties should be overlooked for the entertainment factor, particularly with one of the most engaging F1 championship fights in years heading towards its climax. On the face of it, that sounds appealing – we all want to see the main protagonists battle it out on-track – but it’s a very flawed position.

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