Motorsport

TOTO WOLFF slammed F1 stewards’ decision to award George Russell a penalty as a “total joke” before watching Max Verstappen get away with the same thing later on.The Mercedes chief was heard fuming over the radio to Russell – who recovered to P6 following a pit lane start – as he was awarded a five-second penalty for running Valtteri Bottas off track.Toto Wolff slammed the ‘inconsistent’ decisions made by F1 stewards during the US GPCredit: GettyGeorge Russell was hit with a five-second penalty for pushing Valtteri Bottas off track at Turn 12Credit: GettyBut Max Verstappen did not receive a penalty when he forced Lando Norris off track in the same spotCredit: F1tvNorris received a five-second penalty for going off track and gaining an advantageCredit: RexWolff said of the steward’s verdict on the radio when the penalty was awarded: “Total joke with the penalty George, total joke.”However, on lap 52 of the race, championship leader Verstappen appeared to run himself and title rival Lando Norris off the track at Turn 12 as he went up the inside to try and stay ahead at the apex.The move forced both drivers off track before Norris re-entered the circuit ahead of the Dutchman.However, F1 stewards then handed the McLaren driver a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage, which reinstated Verstappen in P3 at the end of the race.READ MORE IN F1Wolff, 52, took issue with the incident given how Russell was punished for a similar move.On the cool-down lap, Wolff was once again heard speaking to Russell, 26, who asked whether Verstappen had received a penalty.He replied: “No, he didn’t get a penalty and at the end Lando got a penalty for being forced off and overtaking on the outside. “I guess it’s a bit biased decision-making but not surprising.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA similar incident at Turn One in the first lap had allowed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to sweep into the lead – before going on to win the race – with Verstappen forcing Norris off track to avoid a collision.Earlier in the race Verstappen had been forced off track himself by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz at Turn 12 who had run deep, though once again no penalty was awarded for the incident.F1 Driver Salaries in 2024: How Much Do They Make? Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, Wolff added: “It’s inconsistent. With Valtteri [Bottas] it wasn’t even a race. “Yesterday [Saturday Sprint race] we’ve seen a few of those incidents which were exactly the same that weren’t penalised, racing for real positions actually. “Receiving that penalty is completely odd and bizarre. I think we know why but obviously I can’t say that on television.”F1 reporter Isabelle Barker’s predictionI EXPECT Max Verstappen to go all guns blazing over the next six-rounds. I also think his experience and aggression could give him the edge.It seems too little too late for Norris showing consistency, despite that dominant win in Singapore last time out.You can’t help think what could have been had he sorted out his first-lap issues sooner.Norris needs to prove he has the mental fortitude, because we all know he’s got the speed, the team and the fastest car.Verstappen has endured an eight-race winless streak, but he has still managed to score points, with three second-places during that time.So I think the Dutchman will lift his fourth world-title this season, by the skin of his teeth. In his own interview about the incident with the broadcaster, Norris said: “They obviously can’t make their minds up for a few laps. It’s not an easy decision otherwise it would have come a bit sooner.”I tried. He also went off the track. If he’s gone off the track clearly he’s gone in way too hard and also gained an advantage by doing what he did. But I don’t make the rules, so.”On the other hand, Verstappen accused McLaren of complaining a lot.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe feature and sprint race results this weekend saw the gap in the driver’s championship widen to 57 points.F1 heads to Mexico next week as the second race in a triple header.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

A FERRARI double rained on the parade of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris’ charge to the title.It truly was the Wild West on track from start to finish as Norris and Verstappen produced an almighty scrap as they battled nose to tail for third-place for the final 12-laps.Lewis Hamilton’s body language says it all as he exited the US GP earlyCredit: GettyVictory meant extra birthday fizz for Charles LeclercCredit: GettyStewards probed an incident, with Norris penalised for passing VerstappenThe top two positions had already been snatched from their clutches as birthday boy Charles Leclerc capitalised on a poor start from pole-sitter Norris to cross the line in first.Carlos Sainz took second-place eight seconds behind his team-mate but no one will care.All eyes had been on Norris and Verstappen’s all-out war with the Dutchman producing a defensive masterclass until five-laps-to-go.Norris overtook the Red Bull on lap 51 but went off the track and was slapped with a five-second penalty meaning he had to settle for fourth behind third-place Verstappen.READ MORE TOP STORIESThe Texas rodeo continued as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was forced to RETIRE just three laps in after spinning off at Turn 19 and beaching himself on the gravel.Norris knew it was pretty much do or die in Texas, given Verstappen soared to victory in Saturday’s sprint-race and stretching his lead to 54 points in the driver’s championship.Verstappen’s world championship lead is now up to 57 points, having  built it by five points across the weekend, while Norris’ hopes of chasing down the Dutchman have been massively dented with five rounds remaining.The McLaren driver, whose starts have been his Achilles’ heel, got off well but left too much space for Verstappen to bulldoze inside.Most read in MotorsportVerstappen and Norris had a fierce duel for third spotCredit: ReutersHamilton’s Mercedes had to be towed awayFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt is the fifth race this season that he has started on pole but not been in the lead after the opening lap, having done the same at the Spanish, Hungarian, Dutch and Italian Grands Prix.The Red Bull ran Norris wide on the way out of the first corner, and Leclerc swept through to take the lead from fourth.Mercedes made ‘clear mistake’ that ‘ruined’ Lewis Hamilton’s chances in Singapore GP and left him ‘so angry’The other Ferrari, of Sainz, also nipped past Norris, leaving the McLaren in fourth.McLaren reported the incident as they felt Verstappen pushed him wide, but really Norris was not aggressive enough and only had himself to blame.Norris said on his team radio: “He clearly pushed me off. He had no intent to make the corner.”Even he went off the track. I had to avoid crashing into him or him into me.”There was a safety car on lap 3 as disaster struck for Hamilton who was forced to retire as he spun off and beached himself on the gravel on Turn 19.It was the exact same spot his teammate Russell spun out in qualifying and there wasn’t much the seven-time world champion could do about it.It prompted the first Safety Car since the Canadian Grand Prix in June and at the restart Leclerc struggled to create a gap to Verstappen but managed to make it through the first corner in the lead.On lap 17 Toto Wolff came on the radio to slam the “total joke” five-second penalty for an overtake on for allegedly forcing Valtteri Bottas off the track in an overtake earlier on.Half way through and Leclerc was a whopping ten seconds ahead of Verstappen, but the Ferrari driver did not want to be left out as bait for too long before pitting.He said on his team radio: “Don’t leave me out for too long. I do not want to be under pressure.”Verstappen eventually pipped Norris for the final spot on the podiumCredit: RexBy lap 36, Norris and Verstappen were tussling for third place as the McLaren was closing in on his rival.Verstappen was fuming and said on his team radio: “These tyres just aren’t good. I can’t brake, I can’t attack anything.”Second-placed Sainz was relentless and by lap 43 hit back with another fastest lap, cranking up the pressure on his teammate out front.Norris continued to snap at Verstappen’s heels and closed the gap to just 0.6 seconds with 12 laps to go.The Dutchman knew he had a race on his hands and kept the McLaren at bay with text-book defense until lap 52.Norris got the move down at Turn 12 but it appeared to be off the track and Verstappen fumed on his team radio: “He overtook me outside of the track.”Hamilton said after the race: “I have never spun especially on the second lap, it’s devastating to not be in the race because I love this race.”It’s obviously a similar situation to George yesterday, the car is very sensitive, it started bouncing, I wasn’t even pushing. I lost a load of the rear and it came round.”On hoping for another win in the Mercedes with five races to go, he added: “Of course, that’s what we’re working towards.READ MORE SUN STORIES“That is painful, it’s never happened to me before but this weekend the confidence had gone already from the first spin we had.”We need to go back to the drawing board and figure out what has been wrong with the car this weekend because it’s not been normal. We will work on it and try and come back stronger.”Verstappen’s third place leaves him top in the overall table on 354 points, with Norris second on 297 after he finished fourthCredit: GettyMonegasque star Leclerc hails his victory in Austin, TexasCredit: Rex More