Max Verstappen replies to Lando Norris criticism and says McLaren ‘complain a lot lately’​

Lando Norris missed out on the United States Grand Prix podium and lost ground to Max Verstappen in the F1 title race as a result of a late penalty while duelling with the Dutchman

​Lando Norris missed out on the United States Grand Prix podium and lost ground to Max Verstappen in the F1 title race as a result of a late penalty while duelling with the Dutchman Lando Norris missed out on the United States Grand Prix podium and lost ground to Max Verstappen in the F1 title race as a result of a late penalty while duelling with the Dutchman   

Max Verstappen bluntly declared he does not sympathise with Lando Norris after a penalty decided their duel at the United States Grand Prix.

They spent the last 10 laps of the race locked in a furious battle for third place. And Verstappen was the one who would take to the podium alongside both Ferrari drivers – Charles Leclerc won the Austin race from team-mate Carlos Sainz.

But he finished behind Norris on the road who dropped back behind Verstappen because of a penalty. It was given to the Brit for overtaking off track, when both cars went over the white line as the Dutchman defended his position furiously.

Norris said Verstappen had “clearly gone in way too hard” and felt he had been pushed off track. McLaren thought that too and advised their driver against giving the position back, but the stewards had a different view.

It is the latest row between McLaren and Red Bull as they fight for silverware this season. At this same race weekend, McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has been calling for further FIA intervention over a device on the Red Bull cars which the American claims could have been previously used to circumvent parc ferme rules.

Verstappen reference that in the post-race press conference as he was asked if he sympathised with Norris. “No, I do not,” was his curt reply, before he added: “They complain about a lot lately, anyway. It is very clear in the rules – outside the white lines, you cannot pass. I have been done for it as well in the past.”

Team principal Christian Horner was singing from the same hymn sheet as his star driver as he too said McLaren had nothing to moan about. He said: “For me, it was just clear. Obviously, the pass was made off the track – the rules are very clear with that.

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“There was a penalty for that and there could have been a penalty [for Norris] for moving under braking at turn one, and there could have been another one for track limits. So, in the end, I do not think there can be any complaints.”

Horner also disputed the assertion from McLaren that Verstappen had also gone off track while defending from Norris, adding: “He did not go off the track and it is very very clear, the regulations let them race to the first turn. Max did not leave the track. That was fair game.”

Norris is now 57 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ standings with five rounds remaining. And both McLaren and Red Bull will be looking over their shoulders nervously in the constructors’ title race, with Ferrari now just 48 points off the lead following their one-two finish in Texas.

​Mirror – Sport