Lando Norris highlights moment Max Verstappen raced ‘too hard’ during United States GP

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Lando Norris and Max Verstappen finally delivered the battle that fans have been eagerly anticipating throughout much of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

A thrilling lap one excursion, a fascinating battle in the final laps and a late penalty all helped add to the drama of their intense championship battle at the United States Grand Prix.

Norris was relegated from the podium after being deemed to have gained an advantage by leaving the track and overtaking Verstappen.

The six-point swing as a result of that could be huge and further change the title implications for the rest of the year.

Lando Norris thinks Max Verstappen drove ‘way too hard’ in Austin

Norris didn’t agree with his late United States Grand Prix penalty, which saw him pushed to fourth after the race.

He did have an opportunity to give the place back to his title rival, but his McLaren team were adamant that he was ahead at the apex.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Norris wasn’t pleased with Verstappen’s racing etiquette in The Lone Star State.

READ MORE: The ‘nightmare’ that prompted Lewis Hamilton to ‘completely change’ Mercedes

“If he goes off the track, then clearly he’s gone in way too hard, also gained an advantage by doing what he did. I don’t make the rules, so,” he said.

“Obviously, Max went for a tight gap, from inside the car it’s obviously harder to say on some things, but also easier with some things.

“He’d obviously committed quite a bit, which he’s got the right to do. But again, he went completely off the track. At the same point, he’s overtaken by going off-track,” he continued.

“He defends by going off-track, he overtakes by going off-track, but I’m not going to complain about it.”

What next in the F1 championship battle for McLaren?

In simple terms, Norris simply has to win all of the remaining races this year to ensure that he has a chance of winning the title at all.

A dream result for McLaren at this stage would be a Red Bull retirement, which would bring them back into the picture.

They look as if they will secure the constructors’ championship, but their drivers’ hopes are fading with every week that Norris fails to beat every single one of his rivals.

READ MORE: Peter Windsor pinpoints what Red Bull has done a ‘really good job’ of compared to McLaren at US Grand Prix

Even worse, they now have Ferrari to worry about as well, meaning that there is extra competition for race victories.

An aggressive but measured approach is required at the remaining five events, starting off with an important Mexico City Grand Prix next weekend – the second race of a North and South American triple header.