Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has sharply criticized the FIA’s decision to penalize McLaren’s Lando Norris with a five-second time penalty during the final stages of the United States Grand Prix, calling the ruling “biased” and pointing to Max Verstappen’s similar incident earlier in the race that went unpunished.
Norris, who started from pole position, found himself fighting for a podium in the closing laps, having been overtaken by both Ferraris and Verstappen earlier in the race. Despite a strong comeback, his aggressive move to overtake Verstappen late in the race saw him run off track, which led to a penalty from the stewards, costing him third place. Norris ultimately finished fourth, with Verstappen reclaiming the final podium spot.
Wolff expressed his frustration over what he perceived as an inconsistency in stewarding, highlighting the fact that Verstappen had not been penalized for running off track at Turn 1 earlier in the race.
“Did Verstappen get a penalty for Turn 1? No, he didn’t, and then Lando got a penalty for overtaking on the outside,” Wolff told Mercedes driver George Russell over the radio. “I guess it’s a bit of biased decision making, but not surprising. It’s strange.”
The controversy began when Norris, on fresher tires, made a bold attempt to pass Verstappen in the final stint. While both drivers ran wide, Norris completed the overtake, only for the stewards to deem it an off-track pass, resulting in the penalty. McLaren appealed the decision, but their efforts to have it overturned were unsuccessful.
Norris Disappointed but Gracious in Defeat
Lando Norris was clearly frustrated by the penalty, pointing out that Verstappen had also gone off track while defending against him. However, the 24-year-old Brit acknowledged Verstappen’s skill in defending his position, despite feeling that the stewards’ ruling was inconsistent.
“He [Verstappen] defends by going off track and overtakes by going off track, but I’m not going to complain. He defended well and drove well,” Norris admitted after the race.
The penalty not only cost Norris a podium finish but also allowed Verstappen to extend his lead in the drivers’ championship to 57 points. The McLaren driver has been one of the strongest competitors this season, but this setback may have dashed his hopes of catching Verstappen in the title race.
A Tough Battle for Norris
Norris had a difficult start to the race after losing the lead at Turn 1 to Verstappen and the Ferrari duo. Despite clawing his way back into contention, his bid for a podium was undone by the late penalty, leaving him to settle for fourth place.
The McLaren driver, while disappointed, has shifted his focus toward helping his team secure the constructors’ championship. With five races remaining, McLaren still holds a strong position in the standings and will be looking to continue their challenge for the title.
A Season of Controversies
The decision at Austin has reignited the debate over inconsistent stewarding in Formula 1, with many feeling that the current guidelines are too open to interpretation. While Norris’ penalty has drawn ire from both McLaren and Mercedes, it also reflects the growing tension between teams as the season nears its end.
Verstappen, who remains on course for his fourth drivers’ championship, showed once again why he is one of the most formidable racers on the grid. His fierce defense against Norris, despite struggling with tire degradation, proved critical in securing yet another podium finish.
As the F1 season continues, this latest controversy will likely add fuel to the fire as teams and drivers push for clearer regulations and fairer rulings on track incidents. For now, though, Norris will have to regroup as he looks to finish the season strong and help McLaren in their pursuit of championship glory.
