Lando Norris angered by ‘hasty’ FIA USGP verdict

McLaren driver Lando Norris has spoken out about the “hasty” verdict given by the FIA ​​in his heated battle with Max Verstappen, where both drivers were pushed off the track while racing side by side. However, it was only Norris who received the penalty, leading him to say that the regulatory body does not “listen or understand” what drivers have to say.

The incident at Turn 12 saw Norris receive a five-second penalty for overtaking off track before moving ahead of Verstappen. However, Norris was unable to serve the penalty during the race as the FIA ​​issued it on the final lap of the United States Grand Prix.

The decision raised questions about the FIA’s handling of such incidents, particularly as it extended Verstappen’s lead over Norris by five points in the Drivers’ Championship. Although Norris finished third, the penalty dropped him to fourth, placing him behind Verstappen.

The British driver’s conclusion to the saga was that the FIA ​​only wanted to deal with the matter in the short space of time available before the end of the race, which became a “hasty” decision. Although he said he enjoyed the battle with the Dutchman, he said the governing body failed to understand other perspectives when handing out a penalty. He told the media:

“I think there is inconsistency again, but it is difficult. To me, it’s just a rushed decision and they don’t listen or understand our points, which they should do after the race.”

“They just want to make a decision on the spot so you don’t change the points, but therefore it’s a hasty decision and they don’t listen to my talking point, my team’s point of view or Max’s point.

“I don’t think it’s the right thing to do, but today it was a penalty and there’s not much I can do other than accept that. I tried, we both tried, it was a great battle.

“I really enjoyed it. It was difficult. Max drove really well and defended really well. He finished on top, so congratulations to him.

“I don’t think you can appeal that kind of penalty, which again is a silly thing because they’re just guessing and I don’t think that’s how the commissioner should be done. But it’s a difficult job for them to do, so I’m not complaining from them.

“I think it’s more the fact that they don’t see everything, understand everything as well as we do when we’re in the car.

Norris then questioned how other incidents were handled differently to the Turn 12 incident, while Red Bull tried its best to remain “committed” in the closing stages of the race. He added:

“I think both times Max went off the track. He tried very hard to keep me back.

“The thing is, with Max you have to commit – people don’t understand that kind of thing. With Max, you can’t just remain indifferent.

“It’s a little harder to say in Turn 1 whether it was because I didn’t commit enough, but the fact is he committed so much speed that he left the track again.

“I can’t just dive into someone, run away and then maintain the normal position, but for some reason everything is fine in Turn 1 of the first lap. It hurts today.”