McLaren's Lando Norris has launched a scathing attack on Formula 1 race stewards after a controversial time penalty shattered his podium dreams at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Podium Hopes Dashed by Track Limits Drama
The British driver was hit with a devastating five-second penalty for exceeding track limits during Sunday's thrilling race at the Circuit of the Americas. The sanction proved particularly brutal as Norris crossed the finish line just 1.8 seconds behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, effectively demoting him from what would have been a well-earned podium position.
"It's just stupid," an exasperated Norris told reporters post-race. "It's a stupid penalty, to be honest, and it cost me everything today."
Frustration Mounts Over Inconsistent Enforcement
Norris expressed particular frustration at what he perceived as inconsistent enforcement of track limits rules. The McLaren star highlighted that while he received immediate punishment, other drivers appeared to escape similar scrutiny for comparable offences.
"I got a penalty for going wide at Turn 6, but I saw at least four other cars do exactly the same thing and they didn't get a penalty," Norris explained. "So I don't get it. Why me? Why not the others?"
Team Radio Tells Story of Bitter Disappointment
The raw emotion of the moment was captured in team radio communications, where Norris could be heard venting his frustration to his race engineer. "That's ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous," he protested as the penalty was confirmed.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella supported his driver's assessment, suggesting the penalty was "harsh given the circumstances" and noting the team would seek clarification from the FIA about the inconsistent application of track limit rules.
Championship Implications Loom Large
The lost points could prove significant in both constructors' and drivers' championships. While Red Bull's Max Verstappen claimed victory, the battle behind him intensifies with every point becoming precious as the season reaches its climax.
Norris's teammate Oscar Piastri also faced disappointment, finishing outside the points after struggling with tyre degradation throughout the race, compounding McLaren's challenging weekend in Texas.
As the F1 circus packs up from Austin, questions about consistency in stewarding decisions continue to dominate conversations, leaving fans and drivers alike calling for clearer, more uniformly applied regulations in the sport's remaining races.
