MEXICO (AP) — Amid an unexpectedly tight championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, their teams brought the fight to the Mexico City Grand Prix over an officiating dispute in last week's race. McLaren lodged a complaint into the penalty Norris received last week at the United States Grand Prix — a step in trying to get it overturned and put three-time reigning world champion Verstappen back within his reach. The appeal was denied late Friday night.
Norris received a five-second penalty for passing Verstappen off the track late in the race in Austin, Texas. The two were racing for third at the time, and the penalty gave the final podium finish to Verstappen. The change in position widened Verstappen's lead to 57 points headed into Sunday's race at Mexico City, and there are only five races remaining to decide the title.
Norris has maintained he did nothing wrong and, along with many other drivers, argued that Verstappen should have been penalized for his defensive driving. “He did what he thought was right, and I did what I thought was right. I still disagree, and as a team, we disagree,” Norris said.
“It is something I am sure we will discuss as it has been a big talking point since last weekend. A lot of other drivers didn’t agree with it, teams didn’t agree with it.” The same stewards who levied the penalty at the USGP heard the appeal via video conference late Friday afternoon.
Verstappen argued in Mexico that F1 has become over-policed �.
