Lando Norris’ F1 championship hopes have been dashed after he was handed a controversial five-second penalty for finishing off rival Max Verstappen after an interesting US Grand Prix.
While Charles Leclerc raced to victory at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, pole man Norris was fourth – one place behind Verstappen – leaving him 57 points clear in the title race with just 146 points to play in the final five rounds. Carlos Sainz took second to complete the Ferrari one-two.
Norris spent the final twelve laps ripping through Verstappen’s entire gearbox in a thrilling conclusion, and he finally made the move on the 52nd lap.
However, the stewards quickly launched an investigation into the pass, and Norris was ruled to have run off the track. Norris was penalized, and although he crossed the line in third, four seconds ahead of Verstappen, his sanction was reversed, which could prove a crucial decision in his championship bid.
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TOP-10 IN US GRAND PRIX:
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 21:52
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc wins in Austin!
Meanwhile at the front, Charles Leclerc won the race by eight seconds to his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz! What a weekend for Ferrari!
Verstappen finished third, despite being fourth on the track, Norris dropped back to fourth.
5-10: Piastri, Russell, Perez, Hulkenberg, Lawson, Colapinto
My goodness, what a drama at the end!
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 21:41
F1 US Grand Prix: Time for the podium!
And what a podium for Ferrari – a one-two finish!
Time for the Monegasque and Italian national anthems!
And Max Verstappen took third place – and the lead for Lando Norris is now 57 points!
Kieran JacksonOctober 20, 2024 10:40 p.m
Max Verstappen in the cold room:
“We are not very fast today!
“We have (the battle) for several laps in a row. Yes, there are many opportunities to move together. He is already in front.”
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 22:29
Charles Leclerc after winning the US Grand Prix:
“It’s great, it wasn’t an easy weekend, but I have confidence in the race. We still have the upper hand, we can’t dream better.
“It was a good turn 1, exactly what I wanted. I knew it would be very tight, today I got it. That obviously helped our first task, in the second task it was all about managing.
“The whole team is working well, it’s a lot of fun.”
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 22:18
Carlos Sainz after finishing second:
“Congratulations to Charles, this is a result that puts us where we want to be for the constructors.
“I knew the race would be decided at the start, I got the worst, I couldn’t be in the lead. The pace was amazing.”
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 22:07
Max Verstappen after finishing third:
“It was a tough fight, to be on the podium is a good result.
“I have an opinion, but I don’t need to say it here, I’ll let the flight attendants do that.”
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 21:57
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris on team radio..
Norris when told of his punishment: “I should have come back…”
Verstappen: “It was a difficult race. I tried everything with defense, the most fun. It’s strange, you can’t overtake from the track.”
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 21:46
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris gets five second penalty (Laps 56/56)
Norris has been penalized for the incident with Verstappen – a five-second penalty.
Norris will drop behind Verstappen for fourth…
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 21:39
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Norris ahead of Verstappen (Laps 55/56)
Engineer Norris: “In our opinion, you were ahead at the top, both cars were off the track.”
Verstappen: “Lando has exceeded the limits of the track, so expect a penalty only, then it is not possible.”
Ah. So you’re allowed to go out from the white line four times, and Norris has gone out four times. It would have been a five-second penalty, but McLaren thought it was three!
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 21:38
