The discussion over Max Verstappen’s post-race five-second time penalty assessed in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix, issued when he tried to the inside of Kimi Raikkonen at the Turns 16, 17 and 18 carousel complex at Circuit of The Americas, will roll on far beyond today.
The debate today largely centered over consistency in adjudication and application of the rules, track limits themselves (always a sore subject at COTA given its wide runoff areas) or whether there should be permanent stewards.
Unbelievable. @Max33Verstappen takes P3 from RAI on the last lap only to receive a 5 second penalty! 😫 #USGP pic.twitter.com/UF5PC7u26K
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 22, 2017
Disappointed with the inconsistency in decisions regarding track limits this whole weekend. Feel robbed but it was a superb drive 👌 #USGP pic.twitter.com/Ua6ccOTsIA
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) October 22, 2017
Red Bull boss Christian Horner is not best pleased with Max Verstappen's 5-second penalty 😬 #USGP 🇺🇸 #C4F1 pic.twitter.com/NcfhMIr09h
— Channel 4 F1® (@C4F1) October 22, 2017
In the immediate aftermath, though, Twitter lit up with outrage over Verstappen being assessed a five-second post-race time penalty.
Here’s a mere sampling of the reaction, below.
Niki Lauda calls Max Verstappen's #USGP penalty the worst decision he has ever seenhttps://t.co/D9hUEbVfoK
— Autosport (@autosport) October 22, 2017
After watching videos could equally argue Kimi forced him there. Best overtake of #USGP. Feel sorry for @Max33Verstappen you got robbed @F1
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) October 22, 2017
I f*****g hate track limits, either enforce everywhere, or don’t enforce anywhere. That’s why I like old school American tracks..
— Marino Franchitti (@MFranchitti) October 22, 2017
Yep, what @MFranchitti said. https://t.co/N27WxzCsb5
— Dario Franchitti (@dariofranchitti) October 22, 2017
Seen cars over and beyond curbs all day and @Max33Verstappen gets a penalty? I’m confused but of course I wasn’t in drivers meeting. 😏😏😏
— Arie Luyendyk (@ArieLuyendyk) October 22, 2017
Not fair ! This was not a track limit abuse from @Max33Verstappen , this was just a mega move – nothing else ! #grrr
— alex wurz (@alex_wurz) October 22, 2017
Not correct Alex, the problem is that all the drivers drive outside track limits which is not a skill. That's called track limit abuse.
— Johnny Herbert (@johnnyherbertf1) October 22, 2017
Shocking, shocking shocking – bad luck @Max33Verstappen on the demotion to P4, but you were still the best guy out there today
— Andy Palmer (@AndyatAston) October 22, 2017
Brilliant drive from @Max33Verstappen – such a shame to be penalised for that. So many people off track all the time. Makes no sense!
— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) October 22, 2017
Yes! What a race by Max Verstappen. Screw that penalty, you were so entertaining. https://t.co/owOYMJTHbC
— Jeroen Bleekemolen (@jbleekemolen) October 22, 2017
Total bulls**t! Everyone all over the track for the whole race, @Max33Verstappen gets the penalty. Be consistent in your rules!!!!🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️
— Dominik Kraihamer (@DodoKraihamer) October 22, 2017
Max Verstappen & Christian Horner not holding back in criticism of the decision & 1 Steward in particular 🤔 #F1 Meanwhile FIA web-site down😱
— Mark Gallagher (@_markgallagher) October 22, 2017
Sorry but the decision by the @F1 steward to deny @Max33Verstappen an incredible podium was totally atrocious. #SackTheSteward
— Rick Parfitt Jnr (@RickParfittJnr) October 22, 2017
Drivers exceeng limits at T19 all weekend and Max gets a penalty for that? They’ll say rules are rules but where’s the consistency?
— Will Buxton (@thebuxtonblog) October 22, 2017
Oh man…they gave Verstappen a five-second penalty for his pass. How freaking lame is that? So he loses a podium finish.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 22, 2017
Max Verstappen demotion is total bullshit. That was a GREAT move, and again (3rd time I'm counting) controversy will turn off US #F1 fans
— Adam Hay-Nicholls (@AdamHayNicholls) October 22, 2017
Nice to see the steward who dished Max Verstappen's penalty out – Mika Salo – is a former Finnish Ferrari driver 🤔 #USGP
— Sophie Barley (@SophieBarley) October 22, 2017
FIA shame on you. Absolutely ruined the race for every racing fan around the globe by giving Max Verstappen five sec penalty.#Verstappen
— liontamer (@neilson_stuart) October 22, 2017
Unbelievable..and what a bull…max verstappen should be 3th..#formule1 this is bad advertisement for f1 !!
— arjan ardon (@arjan_rotterdam) October 22, 2017
Stunning last lap opportunistic overtake @Max33Verstappen 👊🏻. Given an inch, took it and a tad more #bbcf1 #f1
— Allan McNish (@allanmcnish) October 22, 2017
Overtake of the day. Driver of the day. What. A. Man. Max Verstappen.
— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) October 22, 2017
Not that I needed further proof but @Max33Verstappen is unreal.
— Justin Marks (@JustinMarksDG) October 22, 2017
If Verstappen isn't your Driver of the Day, we don't know what to tell you. #F1 #USGP
— COTA (@COTA) October 22, 2017
