Schumacher criticizes the race management over the incident between Verstappen and Norris

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has questioned the need for race management interference during the United States Grand Prix.

Lando Norris received a five-second time penalty for gaining an advantage off the track while battling Max Verstappen for third place.

The pair clashed in the closing stages of the Grand Prix as Norris attempted to take Verstappen's championship lead.

However, the McLaren driver was demoted to fourth after he was deemed to have overtaken Verstappen off the track.

Schumacher has criticized the sports stewards for intervening in the fight.

“Verstappen put his car in the corner and at that moment there was no room for Norris,” said Schumacher Sky Germany.

“Of course he would have preferred a better line, but I think it's a shame.

“For me it was racing. Max tried everything, Norris tried everything. In my opinion, the punishment was not absolutely necessary.”

While Schumacher understands the argument that Norris concedes his position and tries again, Verstappen, highlighted in Germany, also made a mistake in defense.

“You can say: But where should he go? Then he has to slow down, somehow find a way to get behind him again and try again on the next lap,” he said. “That’s how you see it.

“But he’s in the lead and then Max just drives in and out. Max doesn't make the corner either. From that point of view, I don't think it's fair.

“I would have preferred if these two had been left alone and the FIA ​​had stayed out of it.”