MAX VERSTAPPEN has hit back at McLaren’s criticism of his defensive tactics in Sunday’s US Grand Prix by accusing the British team of “complaining a lot lately.”

Verstappen extended his title lead over Lando Norris to 57 points after the McLaren man was demoted to fourth – one place behind Verstappen – following a five-second penalty for passing his championship rival off the track in the closing stages.

Norris accused the stewards of rushing their decision and said Verstappen’s aggressive move to defend his third place left him with nowhere to go.