Red Bull team boss Christian Horner took the unusual step of presenting printed telemetry sheets to the media to argue against Max Verstappen's penalties at the Mexican Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz won a controversial race while Lando Norris narrowed the gap to Verstappen after another bitter battle that cost the reigning three-time champion two penalties and shaved 10 points off Verstappen's lead in the standings.

Norris passed Verstappen on the outside in turn four and was pushed wide before the Red Bull driver left the track in turn eight and Norris had to leave the track again.

The stewards handed Verstappen two separate 10-second penalties for the two corner incidents, with Norris saying over team radio: “This guy is dangerous.”

Horner then brought printed telemetry sheets to his post-race media session to argue against one of Verstappen's penalties. He also argued that some of the punishments were a holdover from the Norris incidents last week, when many thought Verstappen also deserved a punishment, and that Formula One was in danger of being over-policed.

“Of course there was a reaction to last weekend and I think it is very important that the drivers and stewards get together,” said Horner.

“It used to be a reward for the bravest driver to drive around the outside. I think we are in danger of turning the overtaking laws on their head. We’re overcomplicating things, and if you have to refer to an instruction manual to do an overtaking maneuver, that just needs to be cleaned up.”

Horner said Red Bull would not appeal the penalties, as McLaren did this week.

Norris was penalized for pushing Verstappen off the track at the United States Grand Prix – a penalty that gave his rival the final spot on the podium. Verstappen was also able to extend his lead in the drivers' championship to 57 points before Sunday's race.

The tables turned at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez when Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty for clashing wheels with Norris, forcing him off the track.

“Ten? That’s aggressive,” said Verstappen.

He was subsequently assessed a second 10-second penalty for gaining a position while leaving the track during his first pit stop and received a combined 20-second penalty.

“That’s okay then. “That’s silly, man,” said Verstappen.

He pitted from third place on lap 27 and his mechanics could only begin his service after the 20-second penalty had been served. When he got back into the race, he fell back to 15th place.

Although Verstappen recovered to finish sixth, Norris thwarted what looked like Ferrari's victory when he snatched second place from Charles Leclerc with eight laps to go. The placings were a 10-point victory for Norris, who is now 47 points behind Verstappen with four races to go.

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