Racing to the Finish: A Bittersweet Victory
Disputes over motorsport integrity: McLaren team chief blasts "inappropriate" penalty
The 2024 US Grand Prix came to a nail-biting conclusion, with Lando Norris and Max Verstappen engaging in a fierce battle on the track. The McLaren driver’s hopes, however, were dashed by a five-second penalty, relegating him to fourth place behind Verstappen and shattering his chances of catching the Red Bull driver in the championship.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (left) runs McLaren driver Lando Norris off the track at Turn 1 during the US Grand Prix. (AP pic)
According to McLaren team chief Andrea Stella, the penalty was "inappropriate" and interfered with the beauty of motorsport, as both cars went off the track, gaining an advantage. The decision cost Norris a podium and the race, which he had fought hard to maintain.
A five-second penalty given to Norris, who finished third on track at the flag, pushed him back to fourth behind the series leader and dealt a blow in his bid to catch and pass the Dutch driver in this year’s title race.
Norris was philosophical about his plight, acknowledging that it wasn’t his best day. "Not my best race… I didn’t do a good enough job, but I gave it a good shot so I’m doing my best," he said. "My best isn’t good enough sometimes. It just wasn’t our day today."
Ferrari’s Fine Performance
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed a thrilling win, leading home teammate Carlos Sainz in a dominant one-two finish. Leclerc’s victory lifted him to 275 points in third place in the championship, with Ferrari now targeting the constructors’ title.
"We did a great job, and the pace of the car was really good," Leclerc said. "The team has worked like crazy for the upgrades, and it is paying off now. We could not have dreamed for anything better. It all worked, and we are very happy. Now, we are targeting the constructors’ title."
Faqs
Q: Why was Lando Norris penalized?
A: Norris was penalized for running off the track and gaining an advantage in his battle with Max Verstappen.
Q: Why did the stewards impose the penalty?
A: The stewards believed that Norris gained an advantage by running off the track, which is not in accordance with the racing rules.
Q: How does this affect Lando Norris’s championship chances?
A: The penalty costs Norris valuable points and puts him further behind Verstappen in the championship, making it an even more daunting task to catch up.
Q: What is next for Lando Norris?
A: Norris will focus on the next two races, the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix, hoping to make up ground and secure a podium finish.