The FIA stands by its decision to penalize Lando Norris “severely” for Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Norris was penalized for failing to throttle his McLaren when double yellow flags were flying and received a 10-second penalty for the infringement.
The impact of the penalty was heightened by the fact that it was imposed after the field had gathered behind the Safety Car, meaning Norris was the last of the cars still in the race to exit the pit lane.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said Norris deserved the penalty, but also that the decision lacked a sense of “proportion and specificity” and that “there is scope for the FIA to do better”.
The FIA issued an “explanatory note” on Monday regarding several incidents in the race, including Norris’ penalty.
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SkyPad looks at the 10-second time penalty Lando Norris received at the Qatar GP after the McLaren driver said he “let the team down”.
The section stated: “The penalty was in line with the penalty guidelines issued to teams on February 19, 2024.
“A double yellow flag violation is considered a serious safety compromise, which is why such offenses carry such severe penalties.”
The double yellow flags were due to a detached wing mirror from Alex Alboni’s Williams lying off the racing line on the main straight.
Race control initially responded by placing yellow flags in the area, before surprisingly removing them without the part being removed from the track, which would have required a Safety Car.
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Qatar Grand Prix extended highlights from the Lusail International Tour.
Having been there for seven laps, the mirror was eventually hit by Valtteri Bottas’ Sauber, sending debris across the track, with Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz both pitted moments later.
The safety car was then sent out to allow the track to clear, rallying the field before Norris’s penalty was confirmed.
In a statement released on Monday, the FIA explained the decision not to send out the Safety Car immediately to allow the debris to be cleared, but said, unlike Norris’ penalty, that the “special scenario” would be reviewed with potential teams for approval of the new process in the future.
FIA says: “Normal practice is not to run the safety car unless there is a small amount of debris and it is off the racing line.
“After hitting the car’s mirror, the large debris and the punctures shortly afterwards forced the decision to use the safety car.
“VSC would not have been the solution as the cars are left sprawled out and there is not enough time for the marshal to clear the debris.
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Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz reflects on the dramatic Qatar Grand Prix.
“The FIA is constantly reviewing its methods and processes and will further analyze the specific scenario and discuss it with the teams to see if other action is necessary in the future.”
The FIA is currently under intense scrutiny following a number of high-profile departures, including race director Nils Wittich, with just three rounds remaining in the 2024 season.
Rui Marquez made his debut as race director in Las Vegas after being drafted in at short notice without the FIA providing any explanation for Vitic’s departure.
Wolff: A harsh penalty could cost McLaren the constructors’ title
The decision had a significant impact on the race for the Constructors’ Championship, with McLaren on the brink of sealing the title in favor of Ferrari, who cut a 21-point lead heading into the final round of the season in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said Norris’ penalty was “brutal” but it was “good” as long as there is consistency from the officials.
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Mercedes’ George Russell believes the FIA needs to be more transparent and consistent following its recent sackings.
Mercedes pair George Russell and Lewis Hamilton also received penalties during the race.
“The penalties were harsh, especially for McLaren. It could cost the championship,” Wolff said Sky Sports F1.
“I don’t know what exactly was the violation, the most important thing is consistency.
“If the race director comes in and he takes a hard line, that’s fine as long as everyone knows it’s a hard line and you have to follow it.”
Sky Sports F1’s Bernie Collins, former head of strategy at Aston Martin, suggests the harshness of penalties in Qatar has little to do with Rui Marquez.
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Sky Sports’ Craig Slater takes a closer look at why Nils Wittich has stepped down as F1 race director and who will replace him.
“It was a double yellow for Norris, we can debate whether it should have been a double yellow or not, but he was penalized again, which is recommended for a double yellow and not lifting in the race,” said Collins.
“I don’t think the severity of the penalties has changed with the new race director. The penalties are given by the stewards and they are within the guidelines.
“The race director is more responsible for double yellows or safety cars.”
Watch the final race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1 this coming week at 1pm on Sunday. Get Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW
