Anthony Davidson begs F1 chiefs to make changes after Norris battle with Verstappen

Anthony Davidson believes F1 needs to add a gravel trap to the outside of Turn 12 at the Circuit of the Americas after Lando Norris’ controversial fight with Max Verstappen.

Charles Leclerc won the United States Grand Prix on Sunday, but all the action was behind him, with the title protagonists battling it out for third place and the final spot on the podium.

On lap 52, Norris overtook Verstappen but off the track as the duo passed the white lines. Norris chose not to return the position and was duly penalized five seconds by the stewards.

Yet Sky Sports F1 pundit Davidson insists there is a simple solution to the problem of drivers going off track at Turn 12, one of the main overtaking points at the end of the back straight of the Austin circuit.

Pointing out the huge runoff area beyond the ninety-degree hairpin, Davidson said, “My final take with all of this – they shouldn’t be here at all.

“I hate it!” Please Austin, track, anyone can make changes to this part of the track. Please, I beg you, put some gravel in it.

“Then none of this will be a topic of discussion.”

Davidson also gave his take on Norris’ penalty, siding with the decision made in the commissioners’ room.

“Both cars are off track, Verstappen is also off track,” he said. “He will receive a warning for that, for leaving the track.

“Lando, meanwhile, overtakes a car off the track. You see the difference. One has gone off the track, the other is overtaking. That’s what I think the commissioners saw in this situation.

“They were pretty consistent throughout this weekend. I saw cars overtaking off the track in that same corner and receiving a five-second penalty, so for that they were consistent.

Norris finished the race fourth, while Verstappen finished third, and the Dutchman extended his championship lead to 57 points with five rounds remaining.

F1 will then travel to Mexico City for the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday evening.