Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has issued a strong response following a highly scrutinized penalty against McLaren’s Lando Norris during the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The consequence of this penalty notably favored Max Verstappen, who thus reached the podium.

The incident occurred during an intense battle between Norris and Verstappen. On lap 52 at turn 12, Norris passed Verstappen but both cars crossed track limits in the process, leading to a five-second penalty that demoted him from third to fourth place, elevating then Verstappen on the podium.

According to Horner, the rules regarding such movements are unambiguous. He commented to the media after the race:

“For me it was just clear, the racing rules where obviously the overtaking was done off the track, the rules are very clear with that. There was a penalty for that, and there could have been a penalty for moving under the brakes in the first corner, and there could have been another one for track limits so, in the end, I don’t think there could be any complaints.

“Well, he (Verstappen) didn’t go off the track, and it’s very, very clear, the regulations let them run until the first corner. Max didn’t go off the track. It was a game fair.”

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, meanwhile, expressed concerns over the fairness of the decision, arguing that Norris and Verstappen had gone off the rails during the altercation. Stella explained:

“My view is that the way the stewards interfered with a great part of motorsport was inappropriate because both cars went off the track, so both cars took the advantage.”

“It’s a shame because it cost us a podium and a race where we remained patient after being pushed on the first lap and the first corner. We accepted it.

“That said, our position is very clear, this type of decision cannot be appealed.”

Norris also commented on the penalty:

“It’s impossible to know. They obviously can’t decide for a few rounds, so it’s obviously not an easy decision, otherwise it would have come a little bit earlier,” he said. “I tried. (Max Verstappen) also went off the track. So if he goes off the track, he clearly went too hard and also gained an advantage by doing what he did. But I don’t set the rules, so…”

1. Charles Leclerc
2. Carlos Sainz
3. Max Verstappen
4. Lando Norris (after penalty applied)
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Sergio Perez
8. Nico Hulkenberg
9. Liam Lawson
10. Franco Colapinto
11. Kevin Magnussen
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Fernando Alonso
14. Yuki Tsunoda
15. Lance’s Walk
16. Alex Albon
17. Valtteri Bottas
18. Esteban Ocon
19. Zhou Guanyu
20. Lewis Hamilton – DNF