Lando Norris slams Max Verstappen as McLaren boss says F1 stewards ruined US Grand Prix

McLaren main Andrea Stella was near seething aft Lando Norris was penalised by the F1 stewards arsenic helium conflict Max Verstappen for a spot connected the United States Grand Prix podium

Lando Norris accused Max Verstappen of defending "way excessively hard" aft a last-gasp punishment further dented his rubric hopes successful Austin.

Ferrari dominated proceedings astatine the Circuit of the Americas and Charles Leclerc secured his 3rd triumph of the season from team-mate Carlos Sainz. But the blockbuster enactment came successful the last 10 laps arsenic rubric rivals Norris and Verstappen played retired a thrilling duel for the last spot connected the podium.

The Brit had the tyre vantage but the Red Bull racer defended vigorously for respective laps until some appeared to spell disconnected way arsenic Verstappen pushed the McLaren wide. Norris came backmost connected up and was slapped with a punishment for the amerciable overtake, which meant helium dropped down Verstappen contempt finishing 4 seconds up connected track.

And though helium insisted helium was "not going to kick astir it", helium said: "Clearly, [Verstappen] has gone successful mode excessively hard and besides gained an vantage by doing what helium did, but I bash not marque the rules.

"It was beauteous tight, Max went for a choky gap... helium had evidently committed rather a spot which helium has got the close to do. But, again, helium went wholly disconnected track. He defends by going disconnected track, helium overtakes by going disconnected track."

Norris is present 57 points down Verstappen with 5 rounds remaining. His brag Andrea Stella was seething with the punishment determination and fumed: "The mode the stewards interfered with a beauteous portion of motorsport was inappropriate. Both cars went disconnected way truthful some cars gained an advantage. It is simply a shame due to the fact that it outgo america a podium successful a contention wherever we stayed diligent aft we were pushed disconnected successful the archetypal corner."

Verstappen defended his actions and claimed helium was "understeering a batch and struggling with the braking". He said: "It was a pugnacious conflict and I tried everything to support him behind. Of course, astatine the extremity to beryllium connected the podium is, for us, a large result."

Norris astatine slightest fared amended than Lewis Hamilton who was the lone operator to discontinue from the race. That came connected conscionable the 2nd thigh erstwhile he mislaid the rear extremity and buried his Mercedes successful the gravel earlier apologising sheepishly implicit the radio.

George Russell, who had started from the pit lane, worked his mode up to decorativeness sixth. But the time belonged to Leclerc who declared Ferrari, present conscionable 48 points down McLaren, are successful the constructors' title hunt.

He said: "A one-two for the team, we could not person dreamed better. The full squad is moving ace well, the pit stops were bully - everything is moving well. We are inactive targeting the title, it is simply a agelong mode to go, but this is simply a bully commencement to this triple header."