Verstappen performance difference questioned: 'Completely unnecessary'

Max Verstappen's opposing performances in Mexico City and São Paulo have been questioned by FIA steward Johnny Herbert.

Verstappen was handed two 10-second time penalties for incidents on the same lap with McLaren's Lando Norris that resulted in the three-time F1 champion finishing a distant sixth behind Ferrari's Carlos Sainz at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

What a difference a week makes, as seven days later, Verstappen produced arguably the greatest drive of his F1 career, steering his Red Bull from 17th on the grid to victory by almost 20 seconds around a rain-lashed Interlagos.

Three-time grand prix winner Herbert, who was on the stewards' panel for both races, had criticised Verstappen in public after the race in Mexico City, citing the fact he is allowed to do so as a former driver and pundit once away from his stewarding role.

Herbert has rightly lauded Verstappen's display in the wet in Brazil but has questioned why he saw two different drivers a week apart.

"The conditions were difficult on a demanding circuit, and he handled it brilliantly," said Herbert, speaking to SafestBettingSites.co.uk.

"The first lap proved that he was so much better at racing than anyone else at that time. He has an uncanny belief in himself and puts the car in the right position.

"The question for me again is why he did what he did in Mexico when in Brazil, he showed that it was completely unnecessary. It was amazing to see what he did. He shows that he is maturing, and his speed is unbelievable."

Verstappen created own luck

Like Norris, Herbert feels there was an element of good fortune to Verstappen's success, indicative of the fact that "It's incredible sometimes that the best champions have this uncanny ability to create their own luck".

That was referring to the fact Verstappen was afforded a free-tyre stop under red-flag conditions not long after race leaders George Russell in his Mercedes and Norris had pitted to take on fresh intermediate tyres.

"Max was lucky with the timing of the red flag," remarked Herbert. "The driver who had the most control at that moment was George Russell. He drove fantastically.

"But that doesn't take away from what Max did. It wasn't the first time that a red flag affected the race and it won't be the last time."

Verstappen's victory has enabled the Dutchman to open up a 62-point cushion over Norris, with only 86 available.

Herbert feels that at this stage, "the title race has to be over." He added: "If you drive like Verstappen did, you deserve that position. He deserves the world title. That was an amazing race."