McLaren slams 'unfair' penalty as Norris' title hopes take a hit

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella criticized the controversial penalty imposed on Lando Norris during the United States Grand Prix, labeling it as "inappropriate" and potentially detrimental to his aspirations for the world championship.

Race officials penalized Norris, demoting him to fourth place behind three-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull after both drivers encountered difficulties and went off the track in the final laps.

The five-second penalty, which followed Norris's on-track finish in third place, resulted in his drop to fourth, significantly impacting his efforts to close the gap on Verstappen in the ongoing title race.

Norris was deemed to have gained an advantage by leaving the track while attempting to overtake Verstappen on lap 53 of the 56-lap event.

This incident not only cost Norris crucial points but also allowed Verstappen to extend his lead in the championship standings to 57 points, with 354 points to Norris's 297, as five races remain in the season.

Stella expressed his discontent, stating, "In my opinion, the stewards' intervention disrupted what was a remarkable display of motorsport, as both cars went off track and thus both gained an advantage."

He added, "It is unfortunate because it deprived us of a podium finish and came after we maintained our composure following an incident on the first lap. We accepted that situation."

Stella further noted, "Having clearly articulated our stance, we recognize that this decision by the stewards is not subject to appeal. We consider this matter closed and will focus on the next race."

He emphasized that since both cars had gone off track, there was no doubt in their minds regarding the legitimacy of the maneuver.

Norris, reflecting on his experience after a challenging race, acknowledged his difficulties following a disappointing start where he lost his fourth pole position in five races and fell to fourth place.

"Not my best race," he remarked. "After the setback in turn one and the subsequent racing at the end, it clearly wasn't sufficient—such is life. I didn't perform to the best of my abilities, but I gave it my all."

He concluded, "Sometimes my best isn't enough. It simply wasn't our day today."

He mentioned that he was contemplating discussing the stewards' decision, but believed "there are numerous situations where individuals would not receive a penalty in circumstances similar to what occurred."

He expressed uncertainty about whether he should have relinquished his position immediately during the race.

"It is challenging to determine, but perhaps that was my only chance. Max was defending effectively, and overtaking was not straightforward," he remarked.

Verstappen noted that he faced a challenging race, lacking the pace in his car to mount an attack.

"It was a difficult battle, and I exerted every effort to keep him behind me. However, it was enjoyable as well," he stated.

"A podium finish is a commendable outcome. I have my own perspective on the maneuver, but I do not feel the need to voice it. I will allow the stewards to handle the situation."

'Worked tirelessly'
The race was won by Charles Leclerc, who secured a one-two finish for Ferrari alongside Carlos Sainz. Leclerc’s victory elevated him to 275 points, placing him third in the championship standings.

"We performed exceptionally well, and the car's pace was impressive, which is a testament to the engineers and the team," Leclerc commented.

"They have worked tirelessly on the upgrades, and it is now yielding results. We could not have hoped for anything better.

"Everything came together, and we are extremely pleased. Our next goal is to pursue the constructors' title."

This marked Leclerc's first victory in America, his third of the year, and the eighth of his career, as Ferrari celebrated their first one-two finish at the US Grand Prix since 2006.

Ferrari's triumph at the Circuit of the Americas brought their total to 496 points in the teams' championship, trailing McLaren with 544 points and Red Bull with 504, with the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix scheduled for the next two consecutive weekends.

SportsLigue