Horner delivers ‘crystal clear’ verdict as he dissects thrilling Verstappen/Norris scrap in Austin

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is adamant that Lando Norris deserved his time penalty for the “black and white scenario” of overtaking championship rival Max Verstappen off the track during the United States Grand Prix.

Norris and Verstappen went wheel-to-wheel for the final podium spot – behind the leading Ferrari drivers – across the second stint of Sunday’s race, with the McLaren driver using a tyre offset to come back at the Red Bull after losing the lead at the start.

READ MORE: Leclerc leads dominant Ferrari one-two in Austin as Norris loses third to Verstappen after penalty

Following several attempts, Norris finally completed a move on Verstappen around the outside at Turn 12, only for the stewards to give the Briton a five-second time penalty when they deemed he left the track and gained an advantage.

Norris then did all he could to build a five-second advantage over Verstappen before the chequered flag, but with only a few laps remaining to do so, he fell short by a second and ultimately had to settle for fourth place.

Asked for his take on the situation post-race, Horner smiled: “How did I guess you were going to start with that? First of all, the racing between the two of them was competitive and great to watch.

“Obviously all the drivers know acutely what the rules are, they discuss these issues and particular corners in the briefings with the various stewards, driver stewards and the Race Director.

READ MORE: ‘I have my opinion’ – Verstappen reflects on ‘hard’ battle with Norris as McLaren driver penalised in Austin

“Look, the pass was made off the track. We’ve been on the receiving end of that here against Kimi [Raikkonen in 2017]. For us, it was crystal clear that the pass had been made off the track.

“[Norris] should have given the place back. He chose not to, so therefore there was a penalty. For us, it was very much a black and white scenario.”

Horner continued: “What I perhaps didn’t understand was it was clear there was going to be a penalty, or it looked pretty clear there was going to be a penalty, and with the car advantage and tyre advantage McLaren had at that point of the race…

“It looked like he [Norris] went to give the place back at Turn 1, but there was some confusion there. If he’d have given the place back immediately, he probably would have had enough pace to make the pass.”

With Verstappen’s podium finish adding to the victory he achieved in Saturday’s Sprint race, the Dutchman leaves the Circuit of The Americas with an increased 57-point championship lead over Norris.

READ MORE: ‘I think I did the correct thing’ – Norris stands by approach to Verstappen battle in Austin after penalty

“Nothing’s ever comfortable or assured, but it was important for us,” added Horner. “I mean, this was the first time we’ve out-scored Lando since Spa [five races ago], so that was important for us to get off the back foot and more onto the front foot.”

Meanwhile, in the constructors’ battle, McLaren still lead the way on 544 points, followed by Red Bull on 504 and Ferrari on 496 – the Scuderia making up plenty of ground thanks to their statement one-two finish.