Sky Sports analyst explains why Max Verstappen wasn't penalised but Lando Norris was at US Grand Prix

A top Sky Sports analyst has explained exactly why Lando Norris was handed a penalty at the United States Grand Prix while rival Max Verstappen was let off.

After a month long break, Formula One returned last weekend for the first of the final six race weekends of the 2024 season at the Circuit of the Americas, Texas, host of the US GP.

Ferrari secured a one-two in the race, with Charles Leclerc leading Carlos Sainz, but the biggest moment of the race came in the 52nd lap as Norris was handed a five second penalty for illegally overtaking Verstappen.

The penalty caused significant controversy online, largely because of the implications on the championship title race, but after the race a Sky Sports analyst explained exactly why Norris was given the penalty.

As both Norris and Verstappen came round Turn 12 during lap 52 of the race, the pair nearly collided s they battled for third place, leading both men to come off the track.

Heading into the turn, Verstappen was leading Norris but after the incident, it was the McLaren that came out in P3.

And, as explained by Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson, this was an illegal move, leading to Norris being given the penalty.

Davidson said: "Lando isn't ahead at the apex. Pushed off the track You could argue you were, but you weren't ahead. That's how the steward will look at this situation."

Fans later pointed out that the Dutch driver had also left the track during the battle with his championship rival, and yet was not handed a similar penalty.

Max Verstappen finished the United States Grand Prix in third, ahead of rival Lando Norris. (Image: Getty)

But Davidson later explained the difference between Norris and Verstappen leaving the track, and why only the Englishman was penalised.

"Both cars are off the track, Verstappen is off the track as well and he would get a warning for that. We saw drivers getting warnings for that all race," he continued.

"Lando meanwhile is overtaking a car off the track. You see the difference? One has gone off the track, the other is overtaking off the track.

"So that is what I feel the stewards saw in that situation and they have been quite consistent in this."