Breaking: McLaren boss delivers DAMNING FIA assessment after shock penalty issued...

McLaren Boss Criticizes FIA After Controversial Penalty at Qatar Grand Prix

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has issued a critical evaluation of Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, following a contentious penalty that affected Lando Norris’ race at the Qatar Grand Prix. The penalty, which cost Norris a potential strong finish, has sparked frustration within the McLaren camp, especially as the team is battling for crucial points in the constructors’ championship.

Norris’ Hopes Dashed by Harsh Penalty

Lando Norris had high hopes going into the Qatar Grand Prix, starting the race from an advantageous P3 position. However, those hopes were quickly dashed when he received a 10-second stop/go penalty for failing to slow under yellow-flagged conditions. This penalty was a major blow to Norris’ race, eliminating any realistic chance of a top finish and forcing him to settle for a P10 result. The penalty came after Norris appeared not to lift off the throttle in a yellow-flagged sector, a situation that FIA rules strictly prohibit for safety reasons.

Earlier in the weekend, McLaren had shown strong form, with Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri leading the field during the sprint race. The team secured a vital 1-2 finish, with Norris allowing Piastri to take the win. That result boosted McLaren’s constructors’ championship hopes as they fight for valuable points. However, the chaotic events of the main race, combined with Norris’ penalty, put a damper on the team’s momentum.

While Piastri managed to finish strong in Qatar, taking a spot on the podium, Norris’ P10 finish was a major setback for McLaren’s bid to overtake Ferrari in the constructors’ standings. The team is now trailing Ferrari by just 21 points heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi, where every point will count.

Stella’s Criticism of the FIA

Speaking to Sky F1 after the race, Andrea Stella didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment with the FIA’s decision. Stella admitted that Norris’ failure to lift under yellow flags was a rule violation, but he questioned the severity of the penalty imposed. According to Stella, while Norris did maintain speed in the yellow-flagged sector, the circumstances were unusual.

“So we checked the data, and it’s true, Lando stays flat out,” Stella explained. “The yellow flag appeared just as Lando entered the sector, but the requirement is clear—you need to lift. It’s the driver’s responsibility to recognize that they’re in a yellow sector and back off.”

However, Stella pointed out inconsistencies in the way the yellow flag was deployed. He noted that the yellow flag was briefly shown and then removed, even though the situation in that sector remained the same. Debris was still present on the track, but for some reason, the flag was taken down. “It’s quite peculiar,” Stella remarked, “there was debris, but a few seconds later, the yellow flag was gone, which is unfortunate.”

Stella’s sharpest criticism came when discussing the penalty itself. He argued that the FIA’s decision lacked proportionality and failed to account for the specific circumstances of the incident. “In the application of the penalty, we’ve lost any sense of proportion or specificity,” he said. Stella suggested that instead of rigidly adhering to the rulebook, the FIA should consider the level of danger associated with each situation and make judgments accordingly.

He added that the penalty seemed out of proportion, given that the yellow flag was removed shortly after it was displayed, and the level of risk in the situation may not have warranted such a harsh punishment. Stella urged the FIA to take a more critical and nuanced approach when making decisions, rather than relying on a “rulebook probably full of dust” and applying penalties without fully considering the context.

Looking Ahead to Abu Dhabi

With the constructors’ championship still up for grabs, McLaren must now focus on the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where they will face a fierce battle with Ferrari. Despite the setbacks in Qatar, the team remains hopeful for a strong finish to the season, and Stella’s criticism of the FIA highlights the growing pressure teams feel as the season draws to a close.