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

Asked after the race to give his view of the scrap – and to share the thinking behind not giving the place back to Verstappen just in case – Norris explained: “I mean clearly I didn’t give the position back because we thought we were in the right – clearly we weren’t.

“I still think we were, considering Max went off the track – normally if you defend your position and you go off the track, you have to give the position up. In that case I was ahead, I kept my position because he needed to give it back, and that’s the way it is.

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

“I think I did the correct thing, but I don’t make the rules. Max drove well, it was a fun race between us, a good battle. He defended well, he did everything he had to do.”

Norris went on to criticise his own performance at the Circuit of The Americas as he continued: “I didn’t have enough today, I didn’t drive particularly well. It was a tough challenge out there with the tyres and the car, it was a difficult day.

“It’s tough when you’re on the limit and you’re trying your best, tyres are old and hot and it’s slidey, it’s easy to make mistakes – those things happen. But, yeah, I didn’t do enough today, I didn’t drive well enough – I get that, so I need to make some improvements.”