F1 news LIVE: Race results and standings as Lando Norris reacts angrily after penalty at US Grand Prix
F1 reaction after Norris was penalised for an overtake on Max Verstappen at the end of the race in Austin
Lando Norris’ F1 championship hopes were dealt a hammer blow after he was handed a controversial five-second penalty to finish behind rival Max Verstappen following a compelling US Grand Prix.
As Charles Leclerc raced to an impressive win at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, pole man Norris was only fourth – one place behind Verstappen – to leave him 57 points adrift in the title race with only 146 points to play for across the concluding five rounds. Carlos Sainz took second to complete a Ferrari one-two.
Norris spent the final dozen laps crawling all over Verstappen’s gearbox in a thrilling conclusion, and he eventually made the move stick on the 52nd lap.
However, the stewards quickly launched an investigation into the pass, and Norris was adjudged to have run off the track. Norris was penalised, and although he crossed the line in third, four seconds ahead of Verstappen, his sanction dropped him back, in what could prove a pivotal decision in his championship quest.
Follow live reaction from the United States Grand Prix with The Independent
Driver Standings after US GP
1. Max Verstappen - 354 points
2. Lando Norris - 297 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 275 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 247 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 215 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 177 points
7. George Russell - 167 points
8. Sergio Perez - 150 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 29 points
11. Lance Stroll - 24 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Alex Albon - 12 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
15. Kevin Magnussen - 8 points
16. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
17. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
18. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 5 points
20. Liam Lawson - 2 points
21. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
22. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
23. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
Lando Norris reacts post-race to his penalty:
“I tried, he also went off the track, if he goes off the track he goes in too hard [at turn one at the start] and gains an advantage. But I don’t make the rules.
“Max went for a tight gap. From inside the car, it’s easier and harder to say at times, Max committed quite a bit. I don’t know, I need to look back. He’s overtaken by going off track [at the start]
“He defends off track, overtakes off track. Max raced well, we had a good race - the rules are the rules.”
TOP-10 AT THE US GRAND PRIX:
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Carlos Sainz
3. Max Verstappen
4. Lando Norris
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Sergio Perez
8. Nico Hulkenberg
9. Liam Lawson
10. Franco Colapinto
RACE REPORT: Lando Norris’ F1 title bid suffers blow after penalty as Charles Leclerc wins US Grand Prix
Lando Norris’ F1 championship hopes were dealt a hammer blow after he was handed a controversial five-second penalty to finish behind rival Max Verstappen following a compelling US Grand Prix.
As Charles Leclerc raced to an impressive win at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, pole man Norris was only fourth – one place behind Verstappen – to leave him 57 points adrift in the title race with only 146 points to play for across the concluding five rounds.
Carlos Sainz took second to complete a Ferrari one-two.
Full piece below:
Norris’ F1 title bid suffers blow after penalty as Leclerc wins US Grand Prix
Leclerc led home a Ferrari one-two but the race ended with a terrific battle between Norris and Verstappen
Toto Wolff slams ‘biased’ F1 stewards before cryptic interview at US Grand Prix
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff slammed the decision-making from the FIA stewards as “biased” during the US Grand Prix on Sunday.
In an eventful race which saw numerous five-second penalties, Mercedes driver George Russell was penalised for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in a tussle with Valtteri Bottas – a decision Wolff at the time described as a “total joke.”
Full quotes below:
Toto Wolff slams ‘biased’ F1 stewards before cryptic interview at US Grand Prix
The Mercedes boss was angry with a penalty given to George Russell before an odd interview ensued in relation to Norris’ five-second penalty for overtaking Max Verstappen off-track
Constructors’ Championship after US GP
1. McLaren - 544 points
2. Red Bull - 504 points
3. Ferrari - 496 points
4. Mercedes - 344 points
5. Aston Martin - 86 points
6. Haas - 38 points
7. RB - 36 points
8. Williams - 17 points
9. Alpine - 13 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
Martin Brundle brutally ignored by F1 rookie Franco Colapinto on grid walk in Austin
Martin Brundle was comically ignored by Franco Colapinto at the end of his grid walk at the US Grand Prix.
Brundle interviewed the likes of Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly and Kevin Magnussen – as well as Olympic gold medalists Gabby Thomas and Armand Duplantis - before the Sky Sports F1 broadcaster headed to the front of the grid.
Read full story below:
Martin Brundle brutally ignored by F1 rookie Franco Colapinto on grid walk in Austin
The Sky Sports F1 broadcaster was looking to speak to drivers at the end of his grid walk in Austin
COMMENT: How Max Verstappen outfoxed Lando Norris in most riveting 10 laps of F1 season
So often a figure of joviality in the Formula One paddock, Lando Norris did not muck around at the end of the US Grand Prix. Blood no doubt boiling beneath his yellow race helmet, the McLaren driver made his way straight to the media pen and, to his credit, did not entirely lash out. Instead, he laid out the key events in his mind’s eye.
What was striking, though, was one particular phrase used to describe Sunday’s grand prix in Austin. “It’s a momentum killer,” he said. Deep down, the Bristolian knows there may be no coming back from this. Was this the day any glimpse of a first F1 world championship slipped away for Norris?
Yes, in all likelihood.
Full piece below:
How Max Verstappen outfoxed Lando Norris in most riveting 10 laps of F1 season
Norris saw his title hopes suffer a major blow in Austin – and there may be no coming back from it now
‘Complaining a lot lately’: Max Verstappen responds to McLaren
In the build-up to Sunday’s race, McLaren CEO Zak Brown said he still believes Red Bull has a case to answer about the discovery of a contentious device which it has been claimed allows them to adjust the setup of the car between qualifying and the race – something that is not prohibited in the sport’s rules.
Red Bull have admitted the device exists but said it is inaccessible when the car is built. They have agreed to make changes to their car and F1’s governing body, the FIA have since said the case is closed.
Responding to Stella’s comments, Verstappen said: “They complain a lot lately. But it is very clear and it is in the rules. If you are outside the white line you cannot pass and I’ve been penalised for that in the past, too.”
What does Lando Norris need now to overhaul Max Verstappen?
Lando Norris faces an uphill battle as he seeks to deny Formula 1 title rival Max Verstappen a fourth consecutive world title.
Norris lost ground in the race for the Drivers’ Championship at the US Grand Prix in Austin as a penalty cost McLaren a podium.
The British driver was sanctioned by the race stewards after a late passing move on Verstappen, with a five-second penalty dropping him below the Dutchman and out of third place.
Norris had begun on pole but dropped down the field as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz secured a Ferrari one-two, and admitted afterwards that finishing behind Verstappen was a blow to his world title hopes.
What does Lando Norris need now to overhaul Max Verstappen?
The McLaren driver is hoping to deny his Red Bull rival a fourth straight world title
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments