Lando Norris was attempting to overtake Max Verstappen during the last four laps of the US Grand Prix. He initiated his move using DRS on the back straight, turning into the outside at turn 12. Verstappen braked later, and both cars nearly touched, with Verstappen slightly ahead at the corner. With no space left, both exited onto the run-off area. Norris seemingly completed the maneuver to gain the position, but received a five-second penalty from the stewards shortly after, pushing him off the podium and possibly ending his championship hopes.
How did the FIA justify the penalty?
The FIA explained, "[Norris] was overtaking [Verstappen] from the outside but was not level with [Verstappen] at the apex," adding that Norris lost his right to the corner. "Since [Norris] exited the track and returned ahead of [Verstappen], it constitutes leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage," they detailed.
Were there similar incidents in Austin?
Other five-second penalties were issued during the race to Yuki Tsunoda and George Russell for forcing rivals off track. Both cases paralleled Verstappen’s incident, sparking discussions about consistency in officiating.
What are McLaren's complaints?
Norris expressed his discontent, stating, "It's the rules, but they seem to change. It feels inconsistent." He referenced earlier incidents involving Verstappen where penalties appeared inconsistent. McLaren team director Andrea Stella criticized the stewards for interfering with fair racing.
How did Red Bull respond?
Verstappen firmly stated, "The rules are clear: you cannot overtake outside the white line." He acknowledged the race was challenging and deflected criticisms levied by McLaren.
