Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has criticized McLaren driver Lando Norris‘ late penalty at the United States GP. Norris was penalized for leaving the track and gaining an unfair advantage on Max Verstappen in Austin. Lando Norris yet again failed to capitalize on his chances despite starting in pole position.

He quickly dropped down to P4 after getting massively outpaced by Max Verstappen and the two Ferrari drivers. Norris overtook Verstappen during the final stints of the race in what appeared to be a clean pass. Toto Wolff has since called the decision a biased one, as the Dutchman was let off for a similar overtake earlier in the race.

George Russell: Did Verstappen get a penalty for that Turn 1? Toto Wolff: No, he didn’t get a penalty and at the end Lando got a penalty for being fast off and overtaking on the outside. I guess it’s a bit biased decision making but not surprising.

George Russell: yeah…, strange. Toto Wolff conversed with George Russell on the radio📻 | George Russell: “Did Verstappen get a penalty for that Turn 1? ”📻 | Toto Wolff: “No, he didn’t get a penalty and at the end Lando got a penalty for being fast off and overtaking on the outside.

I guess it’s a bit biased decision making but not surprising. ”📻 | George…— deni (@fiagirly) October 20, 2024McLaren made appeals to the stewards in order to revisit the decision but came up short of any answers. Norris ended the race in P4 behind Verstappen, who extended his lead to 57 points in the drivers’ championship.

RELATED“What a joke! ” – Fans furious over Lando Norris’ five-second penalty for move on Max Verstappen at US GPLando Norris applauds Max Verstappen despite late controversy at AustinMax Verstappen defended bravely during the last 10 laps of the United States Grand Prix. He was struggling massively with the tires after pitting for a set of hards against a much superior McLaren.

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (via Planetf1)He defends by going off track and overtakes by going off track, but I’m not going to complain, he (Max) defended well and drove well. Lando Norris said after the US GPLando Norris: He defends by going off track and overtakes by going off track, but I’m not going to complain, he (Max) defended well and drove well. — Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) October 20, 2024Lando Norris was upset for jeopardizing his chances during the closing stages of the Austin race.

He complained that Verstappen overtook him and defended against him by going off track, as was alleged by many others as well. Regardless, the 24-year-old showed class by praising the Dutchman for his efforts. RELATEDCharles Leclerc and Ferrari are ‘targeting the title’ after BRILLIANT triumph at US GPThe drivers’ championship might be out of Norris’ reach after his performance in Austin.

Thus, he could look to divert his attention to helping his team ascertain their chances of bagging the 2024 constructors’ title from here on.