In the wake of Lando Norris' penalty at the 2024 United States Grand Prix, FIA Formula 1 Steward Johnny Herbert has taken exception to comments made by McLaren team boss Andrea Stella, who blamed officials for ruining the battle between the title contenders.
During their enthralling fight for P3 at COTA on Sunday, Red Bull's Max Verstappen ran Norris wide exiting Turn 12. It was a track limit too many by the McLaren, which earned the driver a five-second penalty. In a nutshell, Max beat Lando on the day and took a step closer to a fourth F1 title, as the Englishman's task got that much harder.
After the race in Texas, McLaren boss Stella told reporters: “My view is that the way that the stewards interfered with a beautiful piece of motorsport was inappropriate because both cars were off track, so both cars gained an advantage."
In response, Herbert, who will be stewarding at the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, told the media team at Genting Casino: "I don't agree with Andrea Stella because I think that's not correct. He says the stewards and the penalties shouldn't have gotten involved with a race that was brilliant."
F1 drivers were involved in rule-making and terms of engagement discussions
Herbert gave his view: "I think McLaren thought they probably had enough to sprint away and get that five-second penalty back on track. He nearly did; he only got four of them back. The penalties have come in, and everyone's got to remember as well; that the drivers have been involved with all these guidelines.
"It's not just the FIA or Formula 1 or anything; the drivers have been involved with the discussions about what they want those guidelines to say and how they want those guidelines from the stewards' point of view.
"If he had given the place back and then had another couple of laps to make the overtake stick properly, then we would all be in a very difficult, different position. But I think they took it that he would be able to get the five seconds, and they said well, then the decision was wrong, and it ruined the race and everything else," added the 60-year-old, three-time Grand Prix winner.
Whatever the case, Norris's 2024 F1 title ambitions took a hefty blow at Round 19 in the States last weekend. Before points were dished out at COTA the McLaren driver needed to outscore Verstappen by nine points in the remaining rounds. With five to go, that points haul per race is now 11 or more.
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