The on-track battles between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have been the subject of a lot of controversy in the final races of the 2024 Formula 1 season. Both drivers have been battling for much of the season after McLaren introduced a major upgrade at the Miami GP. It enabled Lando Norris to win his first race and, crucially, put them on par with Red Bull.

Max Verstappen has been benefitting from Red Bull’s early success in 2024. But with just four races left, Norris is now within 47 points of his lead in the Drivers’ Championship. Red Bull have also slipped to third in the Constructors’ Championship behind Ferrari and McLaren.

It has led to some tense moments on track, including at the recent United States GP when Verstappen bullied his way past Norris who started from the pole at the first corner. He also later put up a stern defence when they battled over the final podium spot after conceding positions to McLaren. Norris admitted he raced Verstappen ‘too hard’ after being handed a five-second time penalty when he overtook the Dutchman off-track, which dropped him behind the Red Bull driver at the chequered flag.

The pair would reignite their on-track battle at the Mexico City GP, whereby Verstappen put up another forceful defence on Norris. But this time bore the brunt of the stewards when he was given two 10-second time penalties for two separate incidents. Discussing the on-track spat between the pair in his latest Sky Sports column, Martin Brundle believes being a driver steward would be a tough position when making these crucial calls that could influence the championship.

Martin Brundle would not want to be driver steward in Max Verstappen and Lando Norris’ spatThe driver steward at both the US and Mexico CIty Grands Prix rotated, with Derek Warwick in place at the Circuit of the Americas and Johnny Herbert in place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Verstappen received a much harsher penalty than Norris in Mexico due to the mitigating circumstances between the pair, although it was still the subject of controversy on social media. Brundle says the role generates a lot of pressure for those involved.

“The multi-billion dollar world of F1, unlike most global sports, surprisingly does not have a professional body of ‘referees’ duly trained and rewarded,” said Brundle. “We have a variable group of stewards throughout the season, slimmed down in more recent years but always including a former driver, at each race. They are unpaid volunteers on expenses only and overall, they do a fine job.

“It’s a role I wouldn’t want for all the coffee in Brazil, given the pressure they receive from teams and drivers, especially on race radio calls and post-race interviews, and the poison delivered on social media where they are accused of bias, almost always by fans with a heavy bias themselves. ”Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesDamon Hill frustrated with Max Verstappen after Mexico City GPVerstappen’s 20-second time penalty in Mexico was seen as the stewards stamping out his robust defensive manoeuvres which often see fellow rivals forced off track.

Brundle said the move he made on Norris was ‘ridiculous’ while former F1 driver Damon Hill believes Verstappen should not simply be allowed to drive another car off track to defend a position. READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriendThe 1996 World Champion even went as far as to say that he lost respect for Verstappen in the aftermath of the race, believing that he does not need to use these tactics in battles on track to succeed. The FIA and drivers discussed the matter over the Mexico GP weekend and an update to the driving guidelines is set to be published in time for the race in Qatar, which outlaws much of what Verstappen tried to pull off on Norris.