Max Verstappen admits the stewards were correct in punishing him for his first corner argy-bargy with Charles Leclerc.

Despite the continuing run of wins, there are moments when we see glimpses of the old Max Verstappen, the shoulders out, bully boy who won't take no for an answer.

A perfect example came again today when he barged his way into the lead by forcing pole-man Charles Leclerc towards the Nevada desert.

Initially told by his team not to hand the position back - not that he showed any sign of doing so any way - as the matter went before the stewards he was told to eek out a lead in order that any time penalty would have minimal effect.

Unfortunately this proved impossible as he was unable to shake off the attention of a charging Leclerc who passed the world champion shortly after the stewards had done their worst and imposed a 5s penalty.

"We both braked quite late to defend the position," said the Dutchman at race end, "but I was a bit on the inside. As soon as you go offline here, it's super low grip. And that's what happened. I braked and there was no grip.

"I didn't mean to push Charles off the track, but I couldn't slow it down and just kept sliding on four wheels wide.

"At the time, I was also full of adrenaline and I was unhappy with the decision. But looking back at it, that was probably the right call."

Asked about the Russell incident, Verstappen was equally honest.

"He didn't do that on purpose," he said. "I think he just didn't expect me to pass him into that corner.

"That's how it felt, I put it on the inside and he just turned in like there was no one there. So, I guess he didn't see me."

Check out our Race Day gallery from Las Vegas here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 22/11/2023 0:27

"@Superbird70...what a good idea. Easy to administrate and fully effective on track. Call the FIA poste haste."

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2. Posted by Burton, 21/11/2023 18:55

"Nah, too lenient. Plus, he got away with intentionally ruining Ocon quali lap."

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3. Posted by Superbird70, 21/11/2023 17:08

"You can always disable the DRS system until the penalty is taken, and then wait 2-3 laps to reactivate once the penalty is served."

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4. Posted by kenji, 21/11/2023 4:39

"@Mad Matt....Likewise. The major issue with the 5 sec penalty is that by taking it later when a gap of more than 5 secs is built up then the guilty party gets a free kick! I would suggest that when a 5 sec penalty gets given then the driver must take that penalty, one way or another [possibly a drive through], within the next two laps. Failure to do so would automatically attract an additional 5 sec per lap until it is taken. "

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5. Posted by Tardis40, 20/11/2023 20:23

"I've seen more incidents like that let go than penalized"

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6. Posted by Mad Matt, 20/11/2023 13:54

"@Motorsport-fan: Have to agree he drove well and I even found myself agreeing with him about the Las Vegas build up being a "clown show". What is the world coming to?

The only point I didn't agree with was the nature of the penalty itself. While I accept that he didn't intentionally run Chalres wide he did get an advantage by doing so and was off the track himself. The punishment should be to give the place back or receive a drive through penalty. Otherwise drivers will overtake off the track, push others wide and just accept the light penalty as the cost of doing business. We want to see clean skilled overtakes on the track without pushing others off..."

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7. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 20/11/2023 13:34

"So they run into him, break his wing, give him a 5 second penalty and he still wins, difficult not to be impressed by Max despite his whinging."

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8. Posted by kenji, 20/11/2023 0:17

"@ all...forgot to mention, upticks all around."

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9. Posted by kenji, 20/11/2023 0:15

"@ Suoerbird70. Oh what a keen eye you have...
@Ed. My 'eulogies' are there to provide some balance to the discussions given the 'eurocentric' make up but then it's all good anyway down here in the lower reaches of the South Pacific. Lotsa fun...just ask Max.
@Defiant. I have to be careful here as I just bought another Mercedes....despite the pantomime performances of the 'black arrows' CIC. Just to keep up appearances.

"

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10. Posted by Defiant, 19/11/2023 23:30

"Don't forget everything would also be anti Mercedes and Sir SJW Hammy.

Not that I wouldn't be as bad as kenji, just that I'd be equally anti but directed at the Red cheats."

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11. Posted by Editor, 19/11/2023 22:36

"@ Superbird70

You'll know that's happening when we start eulogising Piastri and Ricciardo in every article."

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12. Posted by Superbird70, 19/11/2023 22:31

"@Ed-'argy-bargy' and in a previous article 'hoo-ha'. Getting @kenji to ghost write?"

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Penalty the right call, agrees Verstappen

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