Toto Wolff suggested that the FIA stewarding calls at the United States Grand Prix were ‘biased’ after George Russell picked up a five-second time penalty but Max Verstappen escaped one.

Russell picked up a controversial penalty for forcing Valtteri Bottas off the tarmac at Turn 12 as he cut through the field during the early portion of the race. Pierre Gasly suffered the same fate after a similar infringement.

However, later in the race, Verstappen forced title rival Lando Norris off in the same corner. The Brit overtook off the track around the outside and was later hit with a five-second penalty, but the three-time world champion escaped unscathed.

After the chequered flag, Russell came onto the radio to ask if Verstappen was penalised for a different incident at the start of the race, in which he shoved polesitter Norris wide, costing them both positions.

“No, he didn’t get a penalty,” Wolff stated, before adding: “And at the end, Lando got a penalty for being forced off and overtaking on the outside. I guess it’s a bit biased decision-making but, you know, not surprised.”

Wolff wasn’t the only one unimpressed with the stewarding. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella lashed out when interviewed by Sky Sports F1 after the chequered flag.

“My view is that the way that the stewards interfered with a beautiful piece of motorsport was inappropriate because both cars were off track, so both cars gained an advantage,” he fumed.

“It’s a shame because it cost us a podium. It cost us a race where we stayed patient after we were pushed off in the first lap at the first corner. We accepted it.