Toto Wolff brands Lando Norris’ US GP penalty as a ‘biased decision’
Lando Norris was awarded a five-second penalty on a seemingly fair overtake on Max Verstappen during the closing stages of the race at Austin.
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Toto Wolff and Lando Norris (via IMAGO)
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has criticized McLaren driver Lando Norris‘ late penalty at the United States GP. Norris was penalized for leaving the track and gaining an unfair advantage on Max Verstappen in Austin.
Lando Norris yet again failed to capitalize on his chances despite starting in pole position. He quickly dropped down to P4 after getting massively outpaced by Max Verstappen and the two Ferrari drivers.
Norris overtook Verstappen during the final stints of the race in what appeared to be a clean pass. Toto Wolff has since called the decision a biased one, as the Dutchman was let off for a similar overtake earlier in the race.
George Russell: Did Verstappen get a penalty for that Turn 1?
Toto Wolff conversed with George Russell on the radio
Toto Wolff: No, he didn’t get a penalty and at the end Lando got a penalty for being fast off and overtaking on the outside. I guess it’s a bit biased decision making but not surprising.
George Russell: yeah…, strange.
? | George Russell: “Did Verstappen get a penalty for that Turn 1?”
— deni (@fiagirly) October 20, 2024
? | Toto Wolff: “No, he didn’t get a penalty and at the end Lando got a penalty for being fast off and overtaking on the outside. I guess it’s a bit biased decision making but not surprising.”
? | George…
McLaren made appeals to the stewards in order to revisit the decision but came up short of any answers. Norris ended the race in P4 behind Verstappen, who extended his lead to 57 points in the drivers’ championship.
Lando Norris applauds Max Verstappen despite late controversy at Austin
Max Verstappen defended bravely during the last 10 laps of the United States Grand Prix. He was struggling massively with the tires after pitting for a set of hards against a much superior McLaren.
He defends by going off track and overtakes by going off track, but I’m not going to complain, he (Max) defended well and drove well.
Lando Norris said after the US GP
Lando Norris: He defends by going off track and overtakes by going off track, but I'm not going to complain, he (Max) defended well and drove well.
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) October 20, 2024
Lando Norris was upset for jeopardizing his chances during the closing stages of the Austin race. He complained that Verstappen overtook him and defended against him by going off track, as was alleged by many others as well. Regardless, the 24-year-old showed class by praising the Dutchman for his efforts.
The drivers’ championship might be out of Norris’ reach after his performance in Austin. Thus, he could look to divert his attention to helping his team ascertain their chances of bagging the 2024 constructors’ title from here on.
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Yashraj Chowdhury
(599 Articles Published)