It was the second race in a row that Verstappen and Norris clashed, with a completely different result than a very similar – but not identical – move.

At last weekend's United States Grand Prix, Norris was penalized for overtaking off track after he tried to overtake Verstappen around the outside and both ended up in the run-off zone.

Norris and the vast majority of his fellow drivers felt that Verstappen's driving had been unacceptable – he had released the brake to ensure he reached the apex of the corner first, even if that meant he was too fast to do so to make it the corner.

This triggered a specific part of the race policy that states that if the car on the outside is not in front at the apex, it is not the responsibility of the driver on the inside to leave room at the exit.

But drivers could see what Verstappen had done and that led to talks with the governing body FIA in Mexico. The result was that the FIA ​​agreed to revise the guidelines and bring the new text to Qatar for approval within two races, taking into account drivers' views on this type of “dive bombing”.

After the collision between Verstappen and Norris on lap 10 in Mexico, it looked as if the stewards would put these talks into action. And maybe, in a way, they were. However, the two incidents differed in that this time Norris had his car slightly ahead at the apex.

That meant Norris should have given way as per guidelines when Verstappen rammed him off the track again. So when Verstappen didn't give him one, he was punished.

Four corners later it was even clearer. Verstappen, now behind, lunged inside, they slipped and another penalty was assessed. Even Verstappen more or less admitted that he was at fault here.

“It just felt like the fourth corner was more of a question mark,” said Verstappen. “Turn Seven is what it is.