US GP: McLaren boss Andrea Stella says punishment is “inappropriate”

McLaren's Andrea Stella criticized Formula One commissioners on Sunday for what he said was an “inappropriate” penalty for the US Grand Prix that seriously dented Lando Norris' title hopes.

Norris fought a thrilling duel with title rival Max Verstappen for third place and overtook the Red Bull with four laps to go, with both cars going wide.

The Brit, who had performed worse in a first-corner incident with Verstappen on the first lap after starting from pole position, failed to give up the place and was subsequently penalized, dropping him to fourth.

“In my opinion the way the stewards intervened in a beautiful piece of motorsport was inappropriate because both cars were off track and both cars gained an advantage,” Stella told Sky Sports television.

The Italian said the decision could not be appealed and championship leaders McLaren had no choice but to put it behind them.

“We checked again to see whether both cars had left the track. So there was no doubt in our mind that the maneuver was correct,” he added when asked why Norris had not been asked to give the seat back.

Red Bull director Christian Horner, of course, disagreed, calling it a “bang-dunk” decision and praising the stewards for their quick action and for ensuring the podium reflected the actual result.

“It was completely clear to us that the pass had been made off track, so he should have given the place back,” he told reporters. “He decided against it, so there was a penalty. For us it was more of a black and white scenario.”

Norris said the stewards' decisions were inconsistent and rushed as Verstappen defended too hard, made a mistake but still benefited from it.

“I don't think you can appeal this kind of punishment, which again is a stupid thing because they're just guessing and I don't think that's how stewarding should be done,” he told reporters.

“I have no complaint against them. I think it's more because they don't see and understand everything as well as we do when we're in the car,” added the 24-year-old, now 57 points behind Verstappen.