Lando Norris escapes penalty for Russia pit mishap

Norris, McLaren, Russia — Photo: © LAT Images

Russian Grand Prix

Norris escapes penalty for Russia pit mishap

Norris crossed the pit entry line after losing control on slicks in wet conditions

Sam Hall

Sunday 26 September 2021 18:15 Updated: 18:20

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Lando Norris has escaped with only a reprimand after crossing the white line on pit entry when losing control of his McLaren on slick tyres in wet conditions at the Russian Grand Prix.

When the rain fell late in the race in Sochi, Norris battled in a desperate attempt to claim the first victory of his F1 career.

After sliding helplessly off the track and losing the lead to Lewis Hamilton, however, the McLaren driver was forced to pit to switch to intermediate tyres.

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The slippery pit entry proved to be yet another obstacle as he slid across the white line and back onto the track before re-entering the lane.

Given the conditions, the stewards were lenient in their decision and ruled Norris' actions were neither "intentional or predictable".

As a result, Norris retains his seventh place classification.

The decision report reads: "The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 4 (Lando Norris) and team representative, reviewed the video, radio and telemetry evidence and determined that a breach of the regulations had been committed.

"This was not considered as force majeure because it does not comply with the definition of force majeure in Article 20 of the FIA International Sporting Code.

"However, the Stewards took into account that on the previous lap the driver of Car 4 had passed through Turn 17 (adjacent to the Pit Entry) at a relatively high speed, without loss of control.

"During the ensuing lap, the conditions deteriorated rapidly and were varied in different parts of the circuit.

"The driver slowed considerably on entering the Pit Entry, with his speed approximately half of his normal pit entry speed, but still lost control and slid across the painted area between the Pit Entry and the track.

"Although obviously the driver chose to remain out on the track on hard compound slick tyres when others chose to change to Intermediates, and therefore sought to gain an advantage in retaining his race position, we do not consider that the crossing of the painted area was intentional or predictable in the circumstances."