The United States Grand Prix has triggered a storm of criticism and debate among F1 drivers, as the recent spate of penalties at COTA’s notorious Turn 12 revealed fault lines in the application of racing rules. With multiple drivers penalized for incidents on both the inside and outside lines, many—including Lando Norris and George Russell—are calling for more consistency in stewarding and a reassessment of racing guidelines.
Norris, who received a five-second penalty for overtaking Max Verstappen off-track, expressed frustration over what he saw as an unfair call. “I still disagree,” Norris stated. “I was a full car length ahead, maintaining my position, and Max went in too hard. It’s something I’m sure we’ll discuss.” The McLaren driver’s sentiments were echoed by fans and other drivers who felt the rules were inconsistently enforced, especially after a similar incident involving Russell and Valtteri Bottas resulted in a penalty for Russell, despite him staying within track limits.
Russell, however, argued that the problem goes beyond the stewards and lies with track configurations that enable drivers to go wide without consequence. “We need to tackle the root cause,” Russell stated, pointing to Austria’s gravel-runoff solution as an effective deterrent. “If there’s gravel, neither Lando nor Max would have gone off.”
Verstappen, known for his aggressive driving style, took a balanced view, acknowledging that F1’s rules may be over-regulated but also understanding the need for boundaries. “They’re trying to specify everything, which sometimes goes too far,” Verstappen commented. “But without enough rules, we’d end up with the same arguments again.”
Carlos Sainz voiced his own confusion following the Austin penalties, saying the inconsistency leaves drivers uncertain about what moves will draw penalties. “After Austin, we need to review incidents together and understand what the stewards are looking for,” he said, suggesting that clearer feedback from officials might help drivers make better decisions on-track.
Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas stood by the current guidelines, noting that they’re generally clear, though inconsistencies arise with rotating stewards. “It’s pretty clear,” Bottas said. “Some drivers just push the limits and almost take the piss. The rules are there, but different stewards interpret them differently, which creates issues.”
As F1 moves toward the Mexico City GP, the tension over racing standards continues to grow. While drivers and teams call for a unified approach to penalties and track configurations, the FIA faces mounting pressure to deliver the consistency and clarity that F1’s elite demand. The push for change may bring renewed scrutiny to both the sport’s guidelines and the way stewards apply them across the season.
