Lando Norris admitted he is “not quite at the level” of his title rival Max Verstappen regarding race-craft. This statement comes after a controversial penalty during the United States Grand Prix, where Norris was demoted from third to fourth place for overtaking off track.
“Max is the best in the world in this style of defence and attacking,” Norris stated. “So I have to be at his level and at the moment I am not quite at the level I need to be at. It’s a shame to say, but it’s probably the truth. At the same time, it’s a chance for me to learn and progress.”
Despite acknowledging Verstappen’s skill, Norris expressed that he did not believe he deserved the penalty, arguing that Verstappen’s driving in the incident was “not how racing should be.” Several drivers echoed Norris’s concerns about Verstappen’s approach, suggesting that while it complied with the rules, it did not represent fair racing.
In response, Verstappen defended his actions, saying, “It’s how the rules are written. I don’t make the rules. I just follow the rules as much as I can. I just implement the rules and play with them.”
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton criticized the situation, stating, “You shouldn’t be able to come off the brakes and run more speed in and go off the track and still hold your place.” Hamilton has long believed that a change to the rules is overdue, referencing similar tactics used by Verstappen during their 2021 title fight.
George Russell, Hamilton’s teammate, indicated he would approach the FIA to inquire whether Verstappen should have been penalized for his maneuver, saying, “In my view, he should have been penalised, therefore there isn’t really a loophole. If they say he shouldn’t have been, then he is exploiting a loophole.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who secured victory in Austin, described Verstappen’s defensive move against Norris as “a bit too extreme,” acknowledging that Verstappen “has always been on the limit of the regulations and sometimes it goes over a little, but that’s what makes those fights exciting.”
With discussions anticipated among drivers regarding F1’s racing rules at the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix, the focus remains on how Verstappen navigated Turn 12, where he successfully defended his position against Norris.
The rules state that a driver on the inside must have their front axle ahead of the rival car at the corner’s apex to avoid giving up room on the exit. Many drivers believe Verstappen has exploited this rule by braking late, complying with regulations while also going off track.
Another existing rule prohibits forcing a rival off the track, yet this was not applied in the recent incident. Drivers have expressed concern that such defensive tactics make overtaking Verstappen increasingly difficult.
Norris, currently 57 points behind Verstappen with five races remaining in the season, stated, “The fact of getting off the brakes just to be ahead at apex, no matter how wide you run on the exit, is incorrect and I don’t believe that’s how racing should be.” He suggested that rule adjustments might be necessary but affirmed, “I just don’t think I was in the wrong last weekend.”
When asked if the rules incentivize late braking in defensive situations like Verstappen’s, Leclerc responded, “It’s a very complex subject. I don’t have the right answer here. Common sense has to be applied in certain situations.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining overtaking opportunities in the sport.
Williams driver Alex Albon called for a revision of the specific rule covering scenarios where both drivers go off track, suggesting, “there probably needs to be some kind of sentence around, ‘if you then end up going off the track yourself, there should be some kind of fall back or give back position.'”
