Breaking: Lando Norris in Miami GP investigation over shocking inci…read more
Lando Norris Under FIA Investigation Following Bizarre Incident During Miami Grand Prix Practice
Lando Norris has found himself under the scrutiny of FIA stewards following a highly unusual and potentially dangerous situation during Free Practice at the Miami Grand Prix. The McLaren driver had barely begun his run on the track when he was abruptly forced to return to the pit lane after discovering unexpected objects inside his cockpit — specifically, a wrench and a torch mistakenly left behind by the team’s mechanics.
Norris reported the issue via team radio shortly after leaving the garage, saying, “Yeah, there’s just—you’ve left so many tools in the cockpit. Everything’s just falling apart. I’ll have to box this lap.” The issue became even more apparent when he re-entered the McLaren garage. Upon arrival, Norris visibly retrieved a torch and a wrench from the cockpit of his MCL39 and placed them on the car’s sidepod, illustrating the severity of the oversight.
Given the nature of the error, the FIA stewards quickly responded by summoning Norris to investigate the “potential release of Car Four in an unsafe condition.” This refers to a breach of Article 34.14 of the FIA Sporting Regulations, which states that a car must not be released from the pit lane in a condition that could pose a danger to the driver or others on the track. In this case, the presence of loose tools inside the car could have resulted in serious injury or mechanical failure.
McLaren’s mistake raised concerns over the team’s pre-run checks and overall garage procedures, particularly during such a critical weekend format. With the Miami Grand Prix following the sprint race format, the lone free practice session is even more vital for gathering data and fine-tuning setups. Despite the disruption, Norris was able to return to the track later in the session after the tools were removed and the car was deemed safe to drive.
However, this wasn’t the only on-track moment involving Norris that drew the stewards’ attention. He was also part of a near-incident with Haas driver Esteban Ocon as the two approached Turn 17. The situation prompted a second investigation, this time aimed at Ocon, as the Frenchman’s positioning may have interfered with Norris’s lap. Both events added to what was already a tense and critical Friday for Norris and his team.
As the weekend continues, Norris will be eager to avoid further drama and focus on performance. Sitting just 10 points behind team-mate Oscar Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship standings, the 24-year-old Brit knows that every point counts, especially with additional points available during Saturday’s sprint events. A clean and competitive performance in Miami could prove pivotal in his title campaign.
For now, McLaren and Norris await the stewards’ decision, hoping that the bizarre oversight doesn’t carry any penalties that might derail their strong start to the 2025 season.
