What if the commissioners had partly decided the title of Formula 1 world champion on Sunday in Austin (Texas)? We were competing in the 52nd lap of a fierce United States Grand Prix when the McLaren of Lando Norris (4th on track and 2nd overall) finally managed to beat the master of the circuit, Max Verstappen, three-time reigning world champion. driving with Red Bull. Except that Dutch immediately appealed to the FIA regulations in the face of such a borderline maneuver, leaving the track.
And the stewards ruled in his favor, sanctioning Lando Norris with a five-second penalty. The Briton was therefore demoted from 3rd to 4th place, at the end of the suspense in Austin. An outcome that McLaren cannot digest. “The way in which the stewards interfered with this beautiful motorsport is inappropriate,” complains McLaren manager Andrea Stella, interviewed by the Sky Sports channel. Both cars went off the track, so both cars gained an advantage. For us, there is no doubt that the maneuver was correct. It cost us a podium…”
Charles Leclerc and Ferrari benefit from this heated duel
Considering how this 2024 season is tighter than the previous ones, with now 57 points difference overall, with five Grand Prix remaining (and 146 points to be distributed), this differential of six points in one decision could count at the moment to take stock on December 8 after the final Abu Dhabi GP. From the start of the race on Sunday, the tension was extreme between Verstappen (in 2nd position on the grid) and Norris (on pole), the Dutchman showing himself ready to do anything to take the lead straight away.
This risk-taking totally suited the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, lying in ambush and scoring a nice double in the end. Max Verstappen returned after the race to this fierce duel with his new rival at the microphone of Canal +: “I didn’t push anyone out, we didn’t touch each other. It’s a race, we’re not in kindergarten.” This observation makes more sense than ever in this F1 season.
