Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are in a close fight for the 2024 title. The two drivers went head-to-head at the US GP last weekend for the final spot on the podium. Now, former F1 driver Jean Alesi has voiced his concerns over Norris’ penalty.
The McLaren driver was handed a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage against Max Verstappen. This forced Lando Norris down to fourth place. Alesi labeled this decision by race control as ‘scandalous.
’Many spectacular duels and a scandalous race direction. Especially towards Norris. Jean Alesi wrote on Corriere della SeraMoreover, the Frenchman insisted that Norris’ penalty was simply inexplicable.
Jean Alesi blamed Max Verstappen for not taking the corner after he is overtaken by the Briton. The former Ferrari driver further highlights that it was the Dutchman who pushed Lando Norris off the track. But the penalty to Lando in the finale is inexplicable: Max avoids cornering at the moment he is overtaken.
It is he who takes the McLaren off the track, going off with four wheels in turn. Jean Alesi notedRELATEDRalf Schumacher slams unnecessary outcome of Max Verstappen’ battle with Lando Norris at US GPJean Alesi furious over Max Verstappen’s ‘extreme and foul’ moveThe 60-year-old was perplexed over what advantage Lando Norris got during the incident. Jean Alesi doubled down on his views over Verstappen’s driving.
The Frenchman was convinced that the three-time world champion made an extreme and foul move, yet he was the one who was rewarded by race control. Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)Where would the Englishman have ‘taken advantage’? It is not known.
Max had the advantage with an extreme, foul and, moreover, rewarded defence. Jean Alesi assertedCertainly, Lando Norris’ penalty in Austin has become a topic of controversy. Verstappen now leads the McLaren driver by 57 points in the standings with five races to go.
As such, it remains to be seen how things pan out in this exciting battle for the world championship. RELATEDLewis Hamilton’s luxury IWC watch worn during British GP win auctioned for over $250,000
