The McLaren driver called the penalty “rash” as it dropped Norris from third to fourth place, one spot behind Verstappen, who now has a 57-point lead in the championship with five races remaining and 146 points remaining.
In addition, Norris said that he had “driven like a muppet” at the first corner, allowing Verstappen to sneak inside him and push him wide. This action cost both of them spots to Ferrari’s eventual race winner Charles Leclerc.
Despite the controversy surrounding both accidents, Norris and his McLaren crew were more worried about the pivotal moment that occurred in the Austin race with four laps remaining.
After trailing Verstappen for the majority of the race, Norris gained a tire advantage in the second stint thanks to an offset strategy, and with 12 laps remaining, he closed on the back of the Red Bull.
Before Norris attempted to take advantage of the best chance he had, the two competitors battled for the next eight laps, occasionally running side by side.
At Turn 12, Verstappen defended the inside line while he went for the outside. On the exit, both vehicles veered off course, and Norris came out ahead.
