FIA break silence on CONTROVERSIAL Lando Norris F1 penalty

Lando Norris, McLaren, FIA, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

Qatar Grand Prix

FIA break silence on CONTROVERSIAL Norris penalty

Formula 1's governing body has released a statement following the Qatar Grand Prix

Originally written by Kerry Violet. This version is a translation.

Tuesday 3 December 2024 18:00

The FIA have released a statement on a highly controversial penalty given to Lando Norris at the Qatar Grand Prix.

The McLaren star was hit with a 10-second stop-go penalty for failing to slow when passing double waved yellow flags which, given the recent safety car period, shunted him right to the back of the field.

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The penultimate race of the 2024 calendar saw two yellow flags, multiple race restarts and five DNFs, with a plethora of FIA decisions that left fans, drivers and teams equally bemused.

The Qatar Grand Prix ascended into chaos when Alex Albon's wing mirror flew off of his Williams and was left in the middle of the track, the FIA failing to deploy a safety car to remove the debris.

Max Verstappen claimed victory at the Qatar GP after a chaotic race

Lando Norris' Qatar GP penalty robbed McLaren their chance of securing the constructors' championship title on Sunday

FIA issue response over Qatar GP decision drama

The decision to not take action sooner to prevent Bottas' collision with the wing mirror has left the FIA with a lot to answer for, especially Rui Marques, the governing body's newly appointed race director.

In an official statement following the race, the FIA explained their decision-making behind the controversial moment at the Qatar GP.

"Normal practice is for the safety car not to be deployed if there is a small amount of debris, and off the racing line.

"The extensive debris after a car hit the mirror and the punctures that occurred shortly after forced the decision on a safety car.

"A VSC would not have been a solution, as the cars remain spread out and there is not sufficient time for a marshal to clear the debris."

"The FIA constantly reviews its methods and processes and will analyse further the specific scenario, and discuss it with the teams, in order to see whether in the future a different course of action needs to be taken," the statement read.

One team who have taken action against the FIA's handling of incidents at the Qatar GP is McLaren, who have now reportedly requested that an enquiry takes place following the penalty handed to star driver Norris.

McLaren and Ferrari will now battle it out in Abu Dhabi for the 2024 constructors' title

After the race was double yellow flagged, Norris failed to lift under these conditions according to the FIA, which landed him with a 10-second stop/go penalty which eliminated McLaren's chance at taking home the constructors' title on Sunday.

With just 21 points separating the papaya team from Ferrari, the FIA's penalty to Norris may have intervened with the 2024 championship fight.

In response to claims that Norris' punishment was too harsh, the FIA statement declared: "The penalty was in accordance with the penalty guidelines circulated to the teams on 19 February 2024," it added.

"A double yellow flag infringement is considered a serious compromise of safety, which is why such offences carry such a severe penalty."

McLaren Lando Norris FIA Alex Albon Valtteri Bottas Qatar Grand Prix