The final laps of the 2024 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix were marked by the battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, in the fight for the last place on the podium.
During this, the Dutchman, in a defensive position, saw the Briton attack him thanks to the DRS at the end of the long back straight, at turn 12. The McLaren attempted the outside but the two drivers went off the track when the Red Bull defended on the inside. In the end, Norris did not give in and remained in front after going off track.
The stewards quickly took up the matter and, on the final lap, it was announced that Norris had received a five-second penalty, therefore dropping him behind Verstappen in the final standings.
Here is the full justification for the decision taken by the stewards of the Austin event: “Car 4 was passing Car 1 on the outside, but was no match for Car 1 at the rope [du virage].”
“Therefore, according to the Driving Standards Guidelines, Car 4 had lost ‘right’ on the turn. Thus, as Car 4 left the track and returned in front of Car 1, it is considered that it left the track and gained a lasting advantage.”
“A 5-second penalty is imposed instead of the 10-second penalty recommended in the guidelines because after engaging in the overtake from the outside, the driver of car 4 had little other choice than leaving the track due to the proximity of car 1 which had also left the track.”
“Taking into account the above, we believe that this infraction does not qualify as a ‘warning’ for exceeding track limits for car 4.”
VIDEO – The summary of the United States GP
