Verstappen Unfazed by McLaren’s Penalty Protests
At the U.S. Grand Prix, a contentious penalty decision sparked heated debate among teams and drivers. Lando Norris of McLaren was handed a five-second penalty for running wide while overtaking Max Verstappen at Turn 12, ultimately dropping behind the Red Bull driver in the final standings.
A Clear-Cut Rulebook
When asked about McLaren’s complaints regarding the penalty, Verstappen remained unsympathetic. “The rules are clear: outside the white line, you cannot pass,” he stated matter-of-factly. Verstappen pointed out that he had fallen foul of the same rule in the past, recalling a notable incident with Kimi Raikkonen at the same circuit in 2017.
Consistency is Key
McLaren had argued that the stewards lacked consistency in their decision-making. However, Verstappen countered that the rulebook is unequivocal on this point. “I’ve been done for it as well in the past,” he said, emphasizing that the penalty was not unfair.
A Positive Outcome for Verstappen
The penalty decision ultimately worked in Verstappen’s favor, allowing him to extend his title lead to 57 points with five races and two sprints remaining. While he acknowledged that his team’s performance was not optimal, Verstappen was pleased with the outcome. “That is definitely the positive,” he said, adding that he would analyze the data to understand why his team’s performance was not as strong as expected.
A Thrilling Battle
Despite the controversy surrounding the penalty, Verstappen enjoyed the intense battle with Norris. “I just remained calm, tried to do the best I could after that to bring the car to the end,” he said, praising the competitive spirit of the racing. With the championship lead firmly in his grasp, Verstappen is poised to continue his dominant form in the remaining races.
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