Norris told lack of F1 defence against Verstappen 'inexplicable'

Lando Norris's decision not to cover off the inside line at Turn 1 of the start of the United States Grand Prix was "inexplicable", according to Martin Brundle.

Owing to the late braking and sharp apex of Turn 1 at Austin, the driver from second place often gets a good run up the inside of the pole-sitter, who must chop across to hold position.

Previous examples of the P2 starter forcing the leader out-wide include in 2015 when Lewis Hamilton gently nudged Nico Rosberg out of space. 

What was baffling around Norris's decision was that in the sprint race, from fourth on the grid, he did hug the inside and was able to find places.

Sky Sports F1 commentator Brundle believes the McLaren driver's failure to do this again was "inexplicable."

"Norris delivered a stunning lap for pole position in qualifying for the main Grand Prix at the same time as Verstappen lost a little time in Turn 19," he wrote in his column.

"At the start of the Grand Prix everyone got away in unison and Norris knew he had to defend the inside line into the first corner.

"It had worked well for him on this line the day before. Inexplicably he still left reasonable space on the inside and Verstappen wasted no time in filling it.

"They both inevitably ran quite wide on the exit, Norris now off the track. The race director and stewards take a more lenient view on the opening lap as the cars are bound to be in multiple close contact throughout, and the incident wasn't even raised for the stewards to debate."