Formula 1 United States GP

McLaren slams stewards' "inappropriate" interference in Norris vs Verstappen battle

Stella is unhappy with the way stewards handled Norris' fight with Verstappen

Jake Boxall-Legge

Jake Boxall-Legge

Edited: Oct 21, 2024, 8:07 AM

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Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, leads Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates on arrival in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, wave to the crowd on the drivers' parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

A Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader on the grid for the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Gene Haas, Owner and Founder, Haas F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber and Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, arrives at the track

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Franco Colapinto, Williams Racing on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team, Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team, ahead of the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, wave at the crowds

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, embraces a trackside volunteer ahead of the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari and Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team,

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, climbs into his car

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Nara Smith and Lucky Blue Smith for Aston Martin Pirelli hot laps

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, talk in the Paddock

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team and George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team and Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Joe Rogan in McLaren garage

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Jenson Button, Sky F1 and Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders visit the Haas F1 Team garage

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Chef Gordon Ramsay ahead of an Aston Martin Pirelli Hot Laps experience

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Golfer Ian Poulter poses in front of the car of Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, on the grid with an engineer

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, on the grid with his engineer

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, removes his helmet

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team,

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Mechanics push Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, to his grid slot

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Mechanics push Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, to his grid slot

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Liam Lawson, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, the rest of the field a

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, the remainder of the field at the start

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, the rest of the field on the opening lap

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, runs wide as Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, spins and Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46, Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team VCARB 01 pass

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, as Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, runs off the circuit

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, spins as Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, runs wide

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, spins as Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, avoids him

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, Alex Albon, Williams FW46

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, retires from the race in the gravel after a spin

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, is given a ride back to the pits after spinning out and retiring from the race

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

The safety car Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, the rest of the field

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, the rest of the field on the opening lap

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Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24, battles with Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Alex Albon, Williams FW46, makes a pit stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

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Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20 after making a pit stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, leaves his pit box after a stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, makes a pit stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, leaves the pits after a stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, the rest of the field

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battles with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, battles with Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battles with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battles with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates with his teammates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates with his team in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates with his teammates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, celebrates with his teammates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, congratulate each other in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, lifts the trophy in celebration

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, lifts his trophy

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, lifts his trophy

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, celebrate on the podium with Champagne

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, sprays Champagne on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, cheer with their champagne bottles on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates on the podium with Champagne

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

The Champagne and trophy for Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, in the the post race press conference

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday

91

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says the United States Grand Prix stewards have "interfered in an inappropriate manner" with Lando Norris' and Max Verstappen's battle for third, as Norris took a five-second penalty for passing off-track.

Norris had caught Verstappen in their hard-tyre stint and began to exert heavy pressure on his championship rival, although each of his efforts to pass was batted away by the Dutchman's well-curated defence.

On the 45th lap, Norris drew alongside with DRS as Verstappen held the inside, and both cars ended up going off-track; Norris subsequently moved ahead of Verstappen with McLaren's pitwall content that both drivers were off the road.

However, Norris could not create a lead over Verstappen large enough to absorb the eventual five-second penalty, crossing the line 4.1 seconds ahead on track.

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Stella says that he had "no doubt" that Norris took the correct action as both cars were on the run-off, suggesting that both gained an advantage.

"My view is that the way the stewards interfered in this beautiful piece of motorsport was inappropriate, because both cars went off-track," Stella told Sky F1.

"So both cars gained an advantage. It's a shame because it costs us a podium. It costs us a race where we stay patient. After we were pushed off in the first lap, first corner, we accepted it. 

"Having said that, very clearly our position – this kind of decision by the stewards cannot be appealed. For us, the chapter is now closed and we move on to the next race."

Asked if there was any possibility that Norris could have returned the position, Stella felt that there was no need, stating that "we double checked that both cars went off track. For us, there was no doubt that the manoeuvre was correct."

Norris said that the time it took the stewards to make the decision to hand him a five-second penalty must had meant that it was a borderline call.

He also brought up that Verstappen's first-lap move, which also yielded the situation where both drivers were off-track, was allowed to stand - while his challenge for third was not.

"It's impossible to know [if the team asking him to give the place back would have worked out], the stewards obviously can't make their minds up for a few laps, so it's not an easy decision, or it would have come a bit sooner," Norris told Sky F1.

"I tried. He also went off the track, a few metres off the track, so clearly went in too hard, and also getting an advantage by doing what he did. But I don't make the rules.

"I need to go look at [the start] again. I was pretty tight, obviously Max went for a tight gap. From inside the car it's obviously harder to say on some things and also easier to say on some things.

"He obviously committed quite a bit, which he's got the right to do, but again, he went completely off the track, so I need to look back at it.

"He defends by going off-track, he overtakes by going off-track. But I'm not going to complain. Max drove well and he defended well, we had a good race together. But the rules are the rules."

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