MEXICO CITY -- FIA race director Charlie Whiting has defended the decision to penalise Max Verstappen at the U.S. Grand Prix, saying accusations of inconsistent stewarding are without foundation.
Verstappen was given a five-second penalty for cutting the apex of Turn 17 while overtaking Kimi Raikkonen for third place on the final lap. The decision sparked confusion in the grandstands -- as Raikkonen and not Verstappen appeared on the podium -- and controversy in the paddock as the issue of track limits became a major talking point once more.
One argument against penalising Verstappen was that several other drivers exceeded track limits while racing for position but escaped punishment.