F1 News: Horner sends strong message to crybabies McLaren

Red Bull Racing team principal, Christian Horner, stopped short of calling McLaren crybabies following a penalty against McLaren’s Lando Norris during the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The consequence of this penalty, as explained in the video below, rightly enabled Max Verstappen to finish in 3rd place.

Thorough analysis from former F1 test driver and expert pundit Anthony Davidson on Lando and Max’s incident… 👀 https://t.co/Yk3eqIHIRe pic.twitter.com/dTYkfcFTfc

— Marc🏎 (@433_marc) October 21, 2024

The incident occurred during an intense battle between Norris and Verstappen. On lap 52 at Turn 12, Norris overtook Verstappen, but both cars crossed the track limits in the process, which led to a five-second penalty that demoted him from third to fourth place, subsequently elevating Verstappen to a podium finish.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing poses for a photo in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 17, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool — Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing thinks McLaren complains (cries) too much. Here he poses for a photo in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 17, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

According to Horner, the rules regarding such moves are unambiguous. He commented to the media after the race:

“For me, it was just clear, the racing rules where, obviously, the pass was made off the track, the rules are very clear with that. There was a penalty for that, and there could have been a penalty for moving under brakes at turn one, and there could have been another one for track limits. So, in the end, I don’t think there can be any complaints.

“Well, he [Verstappen] didn’t go off the track, and it’s very very clear, the regulations, let them race to the first turn. Max didn’t leave the track. That was fair game.”

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, on the other hand, voiced concerns about the fairness of the decision, arguing that both Norris and Verstappen veered off track during the altercation. Stella explained:

“My view is the way the stewards interfered with a beautiful piece of motorsport was inappropriate because both cars went off track, so both cars gained an advantage.

“It’s a shame because it cost us a podium and a race where we stayed patient after we were pushed off on the first lap and first corner. We accepted it.

“Having said that, very clearly our position, this kind of decision cannot be appealed.”