Verstappen expected to 'exploit' vague F1 rules - Wolff

Toto Wolff insists F1 would should expect drivers like Max Verstappen to "exploit" rules when they "allow a certain way of racing".

However, the Mercedes team principal believes the punishments handed down during the Mexico City Grand Prix will curb such behaviour.

The Dutch driver was awarded two 10-second time penalties in his battle with Lando Norris, with the stewards deeming 27-year-old to first forced the McLaren off track and then left the circuit himself to gain a lasting advantage.

The approach towards Verstappen's brand of aggressive wheel-to-wheel at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was in contrast to how similar incidents have been handled recently in F1, but where the letter of the law, as outlined by the stewards themselves.

Nevertheless, Wolff feels that drivers will always seek to push the limits of what is acceptable when rules are left open to interpretation. However, the Austrian did suggest the course of action taken in Mexico could turn the tide.

"A driver will always push to the limit," he told media including RacingNews365.

"When the rules, or the execution or interpretation of the rules, allow a certain way of racing, a driver like Max [Verstappen] is always going to exploit it.

"Now there has been a new interpretation and execution of those regulations, and I think it will change the way everybody races in the future. You won't see that anymore."

A 'new normality'

Wolff underscored his point by claiming the Mexico City Grand Prix will have established a new precedent for stewards moving forward.

The drivers are due to meet ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix in late November to discuss the driving guidelines, with a view to having changes made, but the 52-year-old believes that will come sooner.

Once Wolff had clarified with the media that it was a fresh panel of stewards in Mexico City compared with Austin, he explained that drivers will now be cognisant of the risks to stepping over the line.

"The stewards today decided that they don't want to see drivers pushing each other out of the track," he said.

"That will now be the new normality. All drivers will be very aware, if you do that you risk a five or 10-second penalty."