Max Verstappen has fired back at Lando Norris’s criticism after the FIA made its final ruling on their controversial battle at Turn 12 during the US Grand Prix. Norris, who received a five-second penalty, accused the stewards of “rushing” the decision, claiming that it cost him a chance to beat Verstappen in the closing laps of the race.

Norris was penalized after going off the track while attempting to overtake Verstappen, a move that saw the positions reversed post-race, with Verstappen securing third place. The McLaren driver was left fuming, saying, “What Max did was incorrect. He defended his position by going off the track. He made a mistake and gained from it. It’s impossible for people to know if I could have made it on the track. The stewards rushed the decision.”

Verstappen, however, was quick to defend his actions and the stewards’ ruling. “It’s clear you cannot pass outside the white lines. I have been penalized for it in the past,” the reigning champion stated. “What happened was straightforward. Lando tried to pass me outside the limits, and that’s against the rules.”

The FIA also stood by their ruling, issuing a statement that read, “After reviewing the incident, it was determined that both drivers left the track, but the move made by Norris gained a significant advantage. The five-second penalty was issued in accordance with the regulations regarding track limits.”

As the championship fight intensifies, the clash between the two drivers has added further drama, with Norris voicing concerns over consistency in FIA rulings. “In Austria, Max didn’t get a penalty for something similar. It’s inconsistent,” Norris added, hinting that the decision was made in haste.

With the result extending Verstappen’s lead in the standings, the rivalry between the two is far from over, setting the stage for a heated conclusion to the season.