Bréaking: FIA issue statement on CONTROVERSIAL Norris penalty…Read more
FIA issue statement on CONTROVERSIAL Norris penalty
The FIA has issued a statement addressing the controversial penalty given to Lando Norris during the Qatar Grand Prix, which significantly impacted his race result.
Norris received a 10-second stop/go penalty for failing to slow under double yellow flags, dropping him from second place to tenth by the race’s conclusion.
The race, the penultimate of the 2024 season, was chaotic, featuring two yellow flags, multiple restarts, and five retirements.
The chain of events leading to Norris’ penalty began when Alex Albon’s wing mirror detached from his Williams and landed on the track.
Instead of deploying the safety car to clear the debris, race officials initially left it in place.
This decision proved costly when Valtteri Bottas ran over the mirror, scattering sharp fragments across the circuit and causing numerous punctures.
Criticism followed as many questioned the FIA’s handling of the situation.
In their statement, the FIA defended their decisions, explaining that standard procedure does not involve deploying the safety car for minor debris off the racing line.
However, the extensive debris from Bottas’ incident and subsequent punctures necessitated a safety car.
A Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was deemed insufficient for clearing the track effectively.
Regarding Norris’ penalty, the FIA stated it adhered to the penalty guidelines shared with teams earlier in the year.
Double yellow flag violations are considered serious due to the safety risks involved, warranting strict penalties.
Although McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged that Norris broke the rule, he criticized the penalty’s severity, arguing it lacked proportionality and called for a review of such sanctions.
Despite the setback, Norris managed to climb back to tenth, securing one point for McLaren in the constructors’ championship.
The incident has reignited discussions about FIA decision-making, with calls for clearer guidelines and more consistent application of penalties.
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