Max Verstappen has been handed TWO ten-second penalties after a fierce battle with F1 title rival Lando Norris at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The two drivers were forced off the track as they went head-to-head on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez and reigning champion Vertsappen has been given a potentially title-deciding punishment.

This could be a massive moment in the title raceSky Sports

Norris made a move to try and overtake the Dutchman, but a collision between both cars forced the Brit off the track.

Norris cut across the circuit and was ahead and was swiftly overtaken by Vertsappen, although both drivers were briefly forced off the track when the Dutchman made his bid to overtake.

“I was ahead the whole way through the corner. This guy is dangerous. It’s the same time as last time,” Norris said.

“He overtook off the track and pushed me off.”

And the authorities didn’t take too kindly to Verstappen’s moves as he was handed a ten-second penalty.

“Ten, that was quite impressive,” an upset Verstappen said.

“There was a LOT of whinging,” a Red Bull engineer said in response.

But the punishments weren’t over for Verstappen there as the FIA gave him another ten-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

The double penalty will see Verstappen plummet down the leaderboard and give nearest rival Norris the chance to eat the gap on him in the Drivers’ Championship.

Going into the race, Norris is 57 points behind Verstappen with another four Grand Prix’ left in the season.