Fans questioned the decision
Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, have been forced to release a statement explaining why Lando Norris received a five-second penalty at the United States Grand Prix.
There was controversy in the closing stages of the race as two of the main title contenders, Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Norris went wheel to wheel as they battled for the final spot on the podium.
Four laps from the end, British driver Norris managed to find a way past Verstappen at Turn 12.
However, he was forced to go off the track in the manoeuvre after being slightly squeezed by the Red Bull driver.
The incident led to Norris being handed a five-second penalty by the stewards after gaining an advantage while off the track.
Fans were fuming as were the McLaren team and the FIA were forced to issue a document explaining the decision.
It said: “Car 4 left the track at turn 12 and gained a lasting advantage. Breach of Article 33.3 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.
“The Stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video and in-car video evidence. Car 4 was overtaking Car 1 on the outside, but was not level with Car 1 at the apex. Therefore, under the Driving Standards Guidelines, Car 4 had lost the “right” to the corner.
“Accordingly, as Car 4 left the track and returned in front of Car 1, it is deemed to be a case of leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage. A 5 second penalty is imposed instead of the 10 second penalty recommended in the guidelines because having committed to the overtaking move on the outside the driver of Car 4 had little alternative other than to leave the track because of the proximity of Car 1 which had also left the track.”
The ruling came after Verstappen commented on his team radio after the race: “My god, that was a hard race. I tried everything with the defending. That was fun.
“It’s just a bit weird that you can overtake outside the track.”
The controversial decision was one of many in what turned into a hectic weekend of racing.
Earlier in the race, Verstappen had impeded Norris at Turn one but no penalty had been given. The five-second penalty forced Norris off the podium.
Related links:
Mercedes driver George Russell was also handed a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage over Valtteri Bottas.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff slammed the decision-making from the FIA stewards and called the penalty a ‘total joke’.
In a conversation at the end of the race, Russell asked Wolff: “Did Verstappen get a penalty for that [at] turn one?”
Wolff responded: “No, he didn’t get a penalty and at the end, Lando got a penalty for being fast off and overtaking on the outside.
“I guess it’s a bit biased decision-making, but not surprising.”
When he was asked to elaborate further in an interview with Sky Sports at the conclusion of the race, Wolff gave a cryptic response.
He said: “I think inconsistent. With Valtteri, it wasn’t even a risk. Racing for positions… and then receiving that penalty is completely odd and bizarre. I think we know why, but we can’t say that on television.
“Sometimes there’s a correlation… when decision-making is a bit interesting. At the end of the day, it’s a difficult job, some are very good, some are trying their best. You need to salute these guys.”
The race was won by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who led from start to finish as he won his third Grand Prix of the season.
