Max Verstappen recently commented on the penalty given to Lando Norris during the United States Grand Prix, suggesting that it was a clear-cut violation of Formula 1’s track limits rules. The incident occurred when Norris, who was on fresher tires, overtook Verstappen on the outside of Turn 12, using DRS to gain an advantage. Verstappen, in defending his position, braked late and forced Norris wide. However, Norris managed to keep his foot down and completed the overtake off the racing line.
While McLaren instructed Norris to hold onto the position, arguing he was ahead at the apex, the race stewards deemed that Norris gained an advantage by overtaking outside the track limits. As a result, they imposed a five-second time penalty on him. Despite Norris expressing frustration about the stewards’ swift decision-making, Verstappen stood by the penalty, emphasizing that the rules around track limits are straightforward. He referenced his own experience in 2017 at the same venue, where he lost a podium finish due to a similar incident.
Verstappen also dismissed suggestions from McLaren regarding leniency, noting that “they complain about a lot lately,” and maintained that the rules clearly state that overtakes must be completed within the track boundaries.
Additionally, the race reignited discussions about potential changes to track limits enforcement, including the use of gravel traps as a deterrent. Verstappen, however, pointed out that such measures aren’t feasible at all tracks. He highlighted the challenges posed by accommodating different types of racing, such as motorcycle events, which do not favor gravel traps, and the financial costs associated with such changes. He suggested that while gravel could be effective in some cases, it may not be a sustainable solution for all circuits throughout the season .
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