Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Formula 1, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc
Ben McCrum
Topics: Formula 1, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc
Formula One fans are adamant that McLaren star Lando Norris should be handed a penalty which could have a massive impact on the championship.
Following a month long break, the first of the final six race weekends of the 2024 F1 season is underway at the Circuit of the Americas, Texas, the host of the US GP.
Ahead of the Grand Prix race on Sunday, championship leader Max Verstappen won the fourth sprint race of the 2024 season, adding another eight points to his season total.
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However, the main talking point of the sprint came after a move from Lando Norris has led to fans on social media demanding that he is handed a penalty for Sunday's race.
During the sprint race, a late hit of the brakes from Norris meant that Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who finished the race in third, came within inches of crashing into the back of the McLaren driver, potentially ending the drive for both men.
Reacting to the clip on social media platform X, one fan wrote: "Norris deserves penalty for this stupid movie. He could have caused double DNF."
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Another agreed, adding: "No way Norris doesn't get a penalty here lmao."
While one pointed out: "Norris penalty? Alonso got +20s for something way less dangerous, where are the penalties now."
And another wrote: "That should be a slam dunk penalty for Norris for moving under braking, nearly caused a massive incident - this man is somehow in a title fight man."
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Despite this, the FIA confirmed after the session that no penalty would be handed to the 24-year-old, claiming that after reviewing the footage and data, they did not feel that his movements under braking were significant enough to warrant a punishment.
Norris finished the sprint race in fourth place, earning five points, meaning that Verstappen extended his lead over the Englishman by another three points.
But he will have another chance to gain crucial points on his championship rival, who is currently 54 points ahead, during the qualifying session for Sunday's race which will take place later on Saturday night.