Lando Norris receives huge support from fans after a controversial five-second penalty stripped off his potential P3 finish at the United States Grand Prix. In the final stages of the race, Norris was locked in a fierce battle with championship leader Max Verstappen. On Lap 52, the McLaren driver made his move on Verstappen at Turn 12, briefly getting ahead but going wide at the apex of the corner, prompting the stewards to step in.
The penalty, which left Lando Norris fuming and fans enraged, sparked a wave of backlash on social media. The five-second penalty dropped Norris from P3, allowing Verstappen to secure a higher finish and extend his championship lead. The Briton was penalized for gaining an advantage off-track, a decision that fans felt was not only harsh but also inconsistent with other rulings during the race.
Fans were quick to voice their discontent, accusing the FIA of unfairly favouring Verstappen and Red Bull. One fan, Alyson Healey, expressed her frustration on X (formerly Twitter), pointing out an apparent inconsistency in the stewards' decisions: "Russell gets a penalty for forcing a driver off the track. Verstappen does the same, and Norris gets a penalty for gaining an advantage off the track. What absolute bo***cks. The FIA never learn."
The controversy deepened as other fans questioned why Verstappen was not penalized for initially running Norris wide. A user with the handle "Son of Robin" voiced his suspicions, tweeting: "Stewards help Red Bull again? Where is the penalty for Verstappen running Norris off the track to begin with? No one will win the driver’s championship other than Verstappen with the steward help he gets. It’s just a joke now."
Norris is a habitual offender!
This isn’t the first time Norris has found himself on the wrong side of FIA penalties. At the Austrian Grand Prix earlier this season, he faced a similar fate when he left the track while attempting to overtake Verstappen. This time, however, Norris did not give the position back, leading to the penalty that ultimately cost him three valuable points.
The stewards’ decision reignited a broader debate about the consistency of FIA rulings. Fans have accused the governing body of “babysitting” Red Bull, citing repeated instances where they believe the team has received favourable treatment.
Here are some fan reactions:
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