In the charged World Cup duel, the anger of the McLaren bosses after the controversial punishment for Lando Norris is directed primarily at the race stewards. The five seconds he was given at the last second during the US Grand Prix not only cost the World Championship chaser a podium place, but above all valuable points in the already difficult catch-up battle against Max Verstappen.
“In my opinion it was inappropriate how the stewards intervened in this great piece of motorsport,” complained team boss Andrea Stella.
The decision cost Norris three points more in the Formula 1 title fight with Verstappen, who, instead of the 24-year-old Brit, scored Ferrari’s first double success in the USA since 2006 with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz – at that time Michael Schumacher ahead of Felipe Massa in Indianapolis was able to celebrate on the podium.
A duel with consequences for Lando Norris. – © Eric Gay/AP/dpa
The Dutchman himself – already in a constant verbal quarrel with the International Automobile Association – didn’t want to say too much about the scene shortly before the end. “I have my opinion and I don’t need to express it here.” The race stewards would do their job.
What even happened?
First things first: Norris secured pole ahead of the World Championship leader after Verstappen’s sprint success in Austin. In turn one, after the first few meters uphill with an incline of up to 15 percent, Verstappen attacked on the inside and both went off the track. Leclerc pushed past both of them and subsequently drove an impressively confident race to victory.
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Thanks to Carlos Sainz in second place, the Scuderia made a lot of progress in the fight for the constructors’ title and is now only eight points behind defending champions Red Bull and 48 points behind the leading McLaren team. So there is great excitement, the constructors’ championship does not have the prestige of the drivers’ title, but it does decide how the TV money is distributed to the teams.
“It is clear that he is not an orphan.”
In the showdown in Texas between Verstappen and Norris, the Brit quickly made up a significant gap after a later tire change, and both engaged in a thrilling duel lap after lap. Norris tried to overtake again and again, Verstappen fought back as best he could.
«He defended himself and it is clear that he is not an orphan. He is one of the most controlled but also toughest drivers. Lando knows that,” said Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko on Sky.
The result: When Norris tried to go outside in turn twelve, he left the track. Verstappen inside too. The race stewards’ justification states that Norris was not at the height of Verstappen’s car at the apex of the curve and therefore lost the right to the curve.
He was then punished because he had gained an advantage when he got back onto the track ahead of Verstappen. The race stewards did not fail to mention that, according to the rules, the maneuver should have been punished with a ten-second penalty.
They left it at five seconds, which ensured that it wasn’t Norris who came third in Austin, but Verstappen. Norris didn’t have time to beat Verstappen by more than five seconds on the track. “I think I did everything correctly,” he emphasized: “But I don’t make the rules.”
Ralf Schumacher: “I don’t think it’s fair.”
“Both were off the track and nobody had an advantage,” emphasized McLaren’s team boss Andrea Stella: “It’s a shame because it cost us a podium and a race.” Sky expert Ralf Schumacher also thought the penalty was unnecessary: “It was racing for me. Max tried everything, Lando tried everything,” said the ex-pilot: “I don’t think it’s fair.”
Norris will be punished, Verstappen will not – “a duel causes a stir,” wrote the Swiss Tagesanzeiger: “Max Verstappen against Lando Norris is the name of the duel in the World Cup – it will be fought bitterly on the Austin track. With at least semi-legal means.”
The decision of the race stewards can no longer be appealed. This also means: Norris will be 57 points behind when traveling from Austin to Mexico City, where the action continues this weekend. A week later there will be racing in São Paulo, there will be a total of five Grand Prix this year and a few more tough duels with the potential for anger are inevitable.
