Horner: 'Verstappen penalty is bad judgement'

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Red Bull boss Christian Horner was searing following the US Grand Prix Steward's decision to penalise Max Verstappen and deprive the Dutch driver of a well-deserved podium finish.

Verstappen carved through the field from the outset after starting 16th following a grid penalty, with his charge ending hot on the heels of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

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The Red Bull driver successfully challenged and overtook the Finn on the inside of Turn 17 on the final lap, securing an impressive third place finish.

But a five second penalty for exceeding track limits and gaining an advantage wreaked havoc on his podium plans.

"There's been cars going off track all day today and no action at all, so I think it would be unbelievably harsh to give Max a penalty," Horner told Sky Sports.

"It's wrong. We'll have a look at it, but for me it was fair, hard racing. I think that's a bad judgement by the stewards to have made that call.

"He did it the hard way. We've seen cars off track all day today, all weekend, so to penalise him at this stage, that's not right."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.