Lando Norris Slams Penalty as “Momentum Killer” in Title Chase

Lando Norris criticized the penalty he received for a passing move on Max Verstappen during the United States Grand Prix, calling it a “momentum killer” for his championship aspirations. The McLaren driver, who described the decision as “rash,” dropped from third to fourth place, allowing Verstappen to extend his championship lead to 57 points with five races remaining.

Norris admitted he made mistakes at Turn One, allowing Verstappen to overtake him which ultimately cost both drivers places to race winner Charles Leclerc. Norris had been competing closely with Verstappen, utilizing a tire advantage to close in with 12 laps left. However, their battle culminated in controversy when Norris attempted an outside pass at Turn 12, resulting in both cars going off track.

Norris contended that Verstappen’s defensive move was also off the track, arguing that it unfairly allowed Verstappen to maintain his position. He expressed frustration over the stewards’ decision, suggesting they should have consulted both drivers after the race. Despite the penalty, Lando Norris acknowledged the competitive nature of their duel and accepted the outcome, emphasizing his need to improve.

He reflected on the overall race, noting that he could have performed better at Turn One to avoid the situation altogether. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc expressed optimism about Ferrari’s chances in the constructors’ championship after his dominant performance. Leclerc stated that if Ferrari could maintain their momentum, they might still challenge for the title.

In contrast, Mercedes faced a tough weekend, with Lewis Hamilton crashing early in the race and raising concerns about their recent upgrades. Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the need to evaluate the performance of their new parts ahead of the next race in Brazil.