F1 warned against promoting the equivalent of 'diving footballers'

Perez, Leclerc, Austria — Photo: © LAT Images

Austrian Grand Prix

F1 warned against promoting the equivalent of 'diving footballers'

Perez and Norris were both plenalised for forcing drivers off-track

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Wednesday 7 July 2021 08:00

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has warned F1 the way penalties were dished out during the Austrian Grand Prix could lead to scenarios akin to "diving" in football.

Lando Norris and Sergio Perez were both penalised for forcing another driver off the track at the Red Bull Ring, incidents Horner described as "just hard racing".

Norris was forced to surrender second on the road to Valtteri Bottas with his five-second penalty, whilst two penalties for Perez dropped him below Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and outside the top five.

Article continues under video

Horner is concerned the precedent set by the FIA will encourage drivers to attempt more overtaking manoeuvres around the outside of corners in order to coax a penalty for their rivals out of the stewards.

"You don't want the equivalent of footballers taking a dive, so we need to avoid that," said Horner.

"It is incredibly difficult because we talk about these things very often and how difficult it is for the race director [Michael Masi] but I did feel that what we saw could have lent to more racing incidents than being deserving of penalties.

"We agreed a few years ago just to let them race. I was okay with the incident between Checo and Lando. That is racing. You are going around the outside and you take a risk, particularly when you are not in a position that you are ahead.

"The FIA awarding that penalty couldn't avoid awarding a penalty for a similar move on Charles.

"These guys have raced in karting since when they were kids. You know if you go around the outside you take the risk even if you are not ahead.

"I think the penalties were a bit harsh and it does slightly go against the go-and-race mantra we have been championing in recent years."