Lando Norris Slams ‘Silly’ F1 Rule After US GP Penalty Drama

Lando Norris narrowly avoids a time penalty in the United States Grand Prix as race control strictly polices track limits throughout Sunday’s contest.

Drivers receive three warnings before a five-second sanction. Norris hits the threshold during early battles with Charles Leclerc, forcing a more conservative approach thereafter.

He identifies Turn 9 over the crest, plus the final two corners, as hotspots. Gusty conditions, especially at Turn 19, compromise stability and increase the risk of marginal oversteps.

One excursion arrives while fighting Leclerc, with Norris arguing the rule penalizes natural racing. He calls the infringement “one of the silliest rules that we have.”

He says he loses time trying the outside line yet still accrues a strike, underlining the tension between robust wheel-to-wheel combat and strict white-line interpretation.

The regulatory framework is clear. The white line defines the circuit, infringements are automatically logged, and three strikes trigger a five-second penalty, as seen across the field in Austin.

That places a premium on risk management. Norris tempers aggression after reaching the limit, pushing only when necessary to avoid converting warnings into a costly sanction.

The competitive backdrop matters. McLaren leads with 678 points. Norris holds second on 332, chasing teammate Oscar Piastri on 346, with Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton close behind.

The next test arrives in Mexico on October 26, where altitude, wind, and wide corner exits could again make white-line policing a decisive factor in strategy and results.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.