How Abu Dhabi clashes show the F1 grid has learned how to stand up to Verstappen

For once in the ugly on-track clashes that somewhat marred the 2024 Formula 1 season in some quarters, while galvanising it in others, Max Verstappen had a point in raging at his penalty for whacking McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The clash should have gone down as a racing incident – each driver punished enough for their part in it with those wild spins to the middle and rear of the pack respectively.