FIA reveal reason why Lando Norris only received a five-second penalty for Max Verstappen incident

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Lando Norris and Max Verstappen’s late United States Grand Prix battle was the hottest talking point of the weekend after some late controversy in Austin.

The Brit was handed a five-second penalty after the race for ‘gaining an advantage’ while overtaking Verstappen off the track at turn 12.

It’s a crucial six-point swing in the drivers’ standings, allowing the reigning champion to extend his advantage over Norris.

The final five rounds of the year are now imperative for McLaren, who are aware that their driver must win all remaining races to stand any realistic chance of a maiden crown.

FIA clarifies why Lando Norris received lenient US Grand Prix caution

The FIA sporting regulations indicate that any driver gaining an advantage by overtaking off the track must receive a 10-second penalty.

In the case of Norris, his arrears were halved by the stewards, after they had considered that he had nowhere else to go.

Speaking in a document after the race, they mentioned that it would also not count as an extra track limits strike for the 24-year-old.

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“A five-second penalty is imposed instead of the 10-second penalty recommended in the guidelines because having committed to the overtaking move on the outside the driver of Car 4 had little alternative other than to leave the track because of the proximity of Car 1 which had also left the track.

“In view of the above, we determine that this will not count as a track limit “strike” for Car 4.”

Did Verstappen deserve a penalty for his lap-one etiquette?

The problem that pundits and Norris had after the race, was that Verstappen pulled a similar move off on Norris on lap one.

Instead of receiving a penalty for overtaking him and forcing him off the track, he was given a pass for making the move exclusively at the first corner of the first lap.

The question to be begged is whether Norris would’ve been able to get back ahead of Verstappen in the event that McLaren told him to give the position back.

READ MORE: Martin Brundle pinpoints exact US Grand Prix moment that showed Liam Lawson deserves a Red Bull seat

There would’ve been about three laps left for him to be the difference maker and turn the tide around to get back on the podium.

What is done is done, and the decisions cannot be appealed – the most interesting point left remains to be whether Norris will be more aggressive towards his title rival as a result of the moves in Austin.