Lando Norris has openly criticized the stewards for what he described as a “rushed” decision that cost him a crucial opportunity to beat his championship rival, Max Verstappen, in a controversial late-race incident at the United States Grand Prix. The two drivers were battling fiercely for third place in the final laps, with Verstappen managing to hold off Norris until a decisive moment four laps before the end.

At Turn 12, Norris managed to get alongside Verstappen’s Red Bull, but in the process of overtaking, he went off the track. The race stewards, including former British racer Derek Warwick, deemed the move illegal and handed the McLaren driver a five-second penalty, causing him to lose his third-place finish. As a result, Verstappen, who had also briefly left the track during the battle, was classified third, while Norris was demoted to fourth.

The penalty significantly impacted Norris’ championship campaign, extending his title deficit to 57 points behind Verstappen. Reflecting on the outcome, Norris expressed his frustration, calling it a “momentum killer” in his fight for the title.

“What Max did was incorrect,” Norris said. “He defended his position by going off the track. He made a mistake and gained from it, and because of that, I had to go off as well. It’s impossible for people to know if I could have made it on the track. You cannot steward that.”

Norris highlighted what he perceived as inconsistencies in the decision-making process, drawing comparisons to a previous incident involving Verstappen in Austria, where no penalty was given under similar circumstances. “It’s inconsistent — in Austria, Max didn’t get a penalty for going off and gaining an advantage,” he added.

According to Norris, the stewards’ decision was made too hastily, without giving drivers the chance to fully explain their actions. “It’s a rushed decision. They don’t hear or understand our points, which they should do after the race. They just want to make a decision at the time so they don’t alter podiums afterwards,” he remarked, suggesting that a more thorough post-race review process could have led to a different outcome.

In response, Verstappen defended the ruling, saying, “It’s clear you cannot pass outside the white lines. I have been done for it in the past.” He emphasized that the rules about track limits were straightforward and should be adhered to by all drivers.

The incident has reignited debates over the consistency and timing of stewards’ decisions in Formula 1, especially in situations that can significantly influence championship standings. As the season progresses, Norris will need to regroup and refocus on closing the points gap, but the frustration over this result is unlikely to fade quickly.