What's happened
During the US Grand Prix, Lando Norris received a five-second penalty for overtaking Max Verstappen off-track, impacting the championship standings. The incident has sparked debate over the clarity of racing rules and track design, with calls for changes to prevent similar situations in the future.
Why it matters
What the papers say
Kieran Jackson from The Independent reported that Norris felt the stewards acted too hastily, stating, "It is impossible to know if I could have stayed on the track." Meanwhile, Anthony Davidson emphasized the need for track modifications, urging, "Please, I beg you, put gravel there. Then none of this will be a talking point." This sentiment was echoed by Martin Brundle, who criticized the complexity of the current driving guidelines, suggesting they dissuade overtaking. The Guardian's Giles Richards noted that both drivers went off track, raising questions about the fairness of the penalty, with McLaren's team principal expressing disappointment over the stewards' interference in what he deemed a beautiful piece of motorsport.
How we got here
The US Grand Prix featured a tense battle for third place between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. On lap 52, Norris's overtaking maneuver led to a controversial penalty that reversed their positions post-race, raising questions about the FIA's regulations and track safety.
More on these topics
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Max Emilian Verstappen is a Belgian-Dutch racing driver currently competing in Formula One, under the Dutch flag, with Red Bull Racing.
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Lando Norris is a British-Belgian racing driver. Currently competing in Formula One, for McLaren, he races under the British flag.
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Charles Leclerc is a Monégasque racing driver, currently driving in Formula One, under the Monégasque flag, for Scuderia Ferrari. Leclerc won the GP3 Series championship in 2016 and the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2017.