F1 STEWARDS GIVE REASON FOR LANDO NORRIS PENALTY AFTER MAX VERSTAPPEN US GP INCIDENT

Lando Norris of McLaren ended up finishing behind Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix after he landed himself a controversial five-second time penalty.

Lando Norris lost out to Max Verstappen in the United States Grand Prix (Image: Getty Images)

Lando Norris landed a five-second time penalty as he had 'lost the right to the corner' before overtaking Max Verstappen in the United States Grand Prix, stewards have said.

The McLaren driver was penalised following the incident, which occurred in the dying embers of Sunday's enthralling race. Norris ended up going off track in his bid to pip his title rival to victory and both ended up finishing behind eventual winner Charles Leclerc.

Stewards have since explained why they opted to penalise Norris, who is now 57 points worse off than Verstappen with just five rounds remaining.

"Car 4 [Norris] was overtaking Car 1 [Verstappen] 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," the stewards explained.

"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."

Speaking on Sunday, it was clear that Norris was less than impressed with the decision. The Brit claimed it had effectively "killed" any hope he had of usurping Verstappen, who is now in pole position to reclaim his title.

Norris fumed: "The point where it is incorrect is what Max did, which was also to defend his position by going off the track and keeping the position. He went off the track because he over-defended and he made a mistake but he has gained from that. I had to go off to avoid him.

Norris was hit with a penalty following the incident ( Image: (Image: X/SkySportsF1))

"With Max, you have got to commit, you cannot go half-hearted and people do not understand that kind of thing. It is impossible to know if I could have stayed on the track. Therefore, you cannot steward that kind of thing.

"It is just a rushed decision and they do not hear or understand our points which they should do after the race. They just want to make a decision at the time. You cannot appeal this kind of penalty which is again a silly thing because they are just guessing and I do not think that is how stewarding should be done."

Verstappen gave Norris' complaints short shrift post-race, where he claimed McClaren had been "complaining a lot lately". Former world champion turned pundit Jenson Button gave his verdict and questioned the rule in general.

"The thing I find very difficult is, yes, he's in front at the apex but he's in front at the apex because he's outbraked himself. He knows he has to have his nose in front when he gets to the apex, and he's done that," Button told Sky Sports.

"This is the problem with the regulation because if he knows he has to have his nose in front at the apex he just lifts off [the brakes] and just lets the car fly into the corner. He's in front, but he doesn't make the corner."

-