Lando Norris criticised the stewards for ‘rushing’ the decision that cost him the chance to beat his championship rival Max Verstappen in a controversial late overtaking move.

The two contenders were fighting for third place in the US Grand Prix, a fierce battle that saw Verstappen defend successfully until four laps from the end.

At Turn 12, Norris got level with Verstappen’s Red Bull but went off the track as he made the pass. The stewards, including former British racer Derek Warwick, handed the Briton a five-second penalty, meaning the pair switched places post-race. Verstappen, who also left the track, was classified third and Norris fourth.

After seeing his title deficit extended to 57 points, Norris said the result was a ‘momentum killer’ to his championship hopes.

He added: ‘What Max did was incorrect. He defended his position by going off the track. He made a mistake and gained from it. At the same time, because of that, I had to go off.

‘It’s impossible for people to know if I could have made it on the track. You cannot steward that. It’s inconsistent – in Austria Max didn’t get a penalty for going off and gaining an advantage.

‘It’s a rushed decision. They don’t hear or understand our points, which they should do after the race. They just want to make a decision at the time, so they don’t alter podiums afterwards.’

Verstappen said: ‘It’s clear you cannot pass outside the white lines. I have been done for it in the past.’