FIA Penalizes Lando Norris with Five-Second Penalty After Bahrain

FIA Penalizes Lando Norris with Five-Second Penalty After Bahrain Grand Prix Start Incident

In a dramatic turn at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, McLaren’s Lando Norris received a five-second penalty for a false start, following a report from rival Max Verstappen. The incident occurred when Verstappen alerted his team via radio, stating, “Lando is over his grid box,” prompting stewards to investigate. Despite the setback, Norris managed to recover and finish third in the race.

Verstappen, who started seventh due to qualifying struggles with his Red Bull’s inconsistent performance and brake issues, finished sixth. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri dominated the race, securing pole position and finishing over 12 seconds ahead of second-placed George Russell. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc took fifth and fourth places, respectively.

Norris admitted to struggling with pace throughout the weekend, despite acknowledging the car’s strong performance. He stated, “I was just slow. I have been slow this whole weekend, to be honest. Nothing too surprising. I have just been off it. The car is amazing. I have nothing to complain about; the team are doing an amazing job. But I am just letting them down.”

The penalty has sparked discussions about the consistency and proportionality of FIA’s decisions, especially considering the impact on race outcomes and championship standings. As the season progresses, teams and drivers are calling for clearer guidelines and fair enforcement to maintain the integrity of the sport.