Lando Norris was placed under investigation for driving erratically on the final lap of the sprint race. After examination by the race stewards, the British driver ultimately retained his third position.
While he started from fourth position on the starting grid, the McLaren driver quickly moved to second place from the first corner. Despite this good start, he was never really able to compete with Max Verstappen, who won the race and increased his championship lead to 54 points.
In the final laps of the sprint race, Norris encountered problems with his tires, allowing Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to catch up to him. The Spanish driver finally overtook him in the first corner of the last lap. A few hectometers further, at turn 15, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc narrowly avoided a collision. This defensive maneuver by the Briton led to the opening of an investigation into erratic driving.
Read also: Sprint; Verstappen untouchable in Austin, Sainz brilliant second
Leclerc immediately expressed his dissatisfaction on the radio regarding Norris’ defense. At the post-race press conference, Norris acknowledged that the investigation was justified: “Yes, the one where you have to brake and turn all the way. It makes sense, honestly”, he concluded.
In the end, the track marshals did not see fit to sanction the McLaren driver.
“There did not appear to be any significant changes in direction under braking, and the movement at Turn 15 was a legitimate defensive move by the Car 4 driver.”
Lando Norris, who still dreams of the world title, will have to increase the pace during the qualifying session for the United States Grand Prix if he wants to have a chance of beating Max Verstappen.
