Lando Norris wasn’t shy about expressing his frustration after a dramatic conclusion to the 2024 United States Grand Prix, where a fierce duel with Max Verstappen for the final podium spot saw the McLaren driver slapped with a five-second penalty. The penalty, handed down after the race had finished, ultimately stripped Norris of third place and handed it back to his title rival Verstappen.
The thrilling battle at the Circuit of the Americas was one of the race’s standout moments, with both drivers pushing each other to the absolute limit. But while Verstappen managed to fend off Norris’ attacks, the McLaren driver felt hard done by—particularly by what he saw as inconsistent stewarding decisions and Verstappen’s aggressive defense.
Norris Fires Shots at Stewards and Verstappen
Norris was visibly displeased with the stewards’ late decision, claiming they couldn’t “make up their minds” during the final laps of the race. He also took a subtle dig at Verstappen, accusing the reigning world champion of gaining an advantage by running off the track during the heated battle.
“They can’t make their minds up for a few laps, so it could have come sooner,” Norris said post-race. “He [Verstappen] also ran deep and went off, and gained an advantage. He defends by going off track and overtakes by going off track, but I’m not going to complain, he defended well and drove well.”
Despite the frustration, Norris admitted that Verstappen executed a solid defensive drive and acknowledged the difficulty the stewards faced in making their decision. However, the McLaren driver was clearly irked by what he saw as an uneven application of the rules.
Controversy at Turn 12
The controversial moment came towards the end of the race, as Norris, on fresher tires, was attempting to pass Verstappen for third place. In a bold move at Turn 12, Norris managed to get ahead but was judged to have overtaken off the track. The stewards eventually hit him with a five-second penalty, which dropped him from third to fourth in the final classification.
“It’s not an easy decision, otherwise it could have come a bit sooner,” Norris said of the stewards’ deliberations. “[Verstappen] also went off the track, and if he’s gone off the track, he’s gone in too deep and also gained an advantage, but I don’t make the rules.”
Verstappen, who opted not to comment extensively on the incident, left the final call to the stewards, simply stating: “I have my opinion but I don’t need to say it here, I’ll just let the stewards do their thing and we will analyze that.”
McLaren’s Championship Lead Extends, Verstappen Eyes Another Title
Despite the penalty and missing out on the podium, Norris and McLaren still had reason to be positive. With his teammate Oscar Piastri also scoring well, McLaren extended its lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship to 40 points. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s third-place finish bolstered his already commanding lead in the drivers’ standings, inching him closer to a fourth consecutive title.
For Norris, the result was bittersweet. While he was able to challenge Verstappen in the closing stages, the penalty not only cost him a podium but also critical points in the championship fight. As the season nears its conclusion, every decision and every result becomes even more significant for both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings.
With the controversy behind them, both McLaren and Red Bull will now shift their focus to the remaining races, with Verstappen on the cusp of another world title and Norris determined to keep pushing his rival to the very end.
