Lauda labels Verstappen penalty as ‘worst I’ve ever seen’
Niki Lauda has called the decision to award Max Verstappen with a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits on the last lap of the US Grand Prix as the “worst I’ve ever seen”.
The Dutchman was penalised by the stewards for passing Kimi Raikkonen off the circuit on the inside of Turn 17 for third place.
The penalty cost the Red Bull driver a podium position after starting down in 16th place following a grid penalty for changing various engine components.
Asked his opinion on Verstappen’s penalty, Lauda said: “This decision is the worst I’ve ever seen. He [Verstappen] did nothing wrong. We’re racing drivers, we’re not on a normal road.
“It’s ridiculous to destroy the sport with this kind of decision.”
The Austrian now believes the matter will now have to be taken to a strategy group meeting for further discussions on how the sport can avoid a similar situation in future races.
“Next strategy [group] meeting we need to bring it up to the agenda and start it all over again,” he said. “Because we cannot do that, it’s going too far.
“There was nothing to interfere with, it was a normal overtaking.”
Due to the Circuit of The America’s large run-off areas, drivers were seen pushing the limits of the track all weekend and Lauda argues the drivers should be allowed to use every inch of track available to them.
“Charlie argues all the time there’s white lines and you cannot drive over them,” Lauda added. “Why cannot you drive over white lines if it is possible? Build a wall there if you want.
“As long as there is normal circuit, you can use it. A white line is not a limit. We agreed this all, last year it was all agreed. And now we get this decision. I think it’s completely wrong.”