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McLaren Blasts FIA Over Norris Penalty That Cost Constructors’ Championship

Redação by Redação
December 4, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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McLaren Blasts FIA Over Norris Penalty That Cost Constructors’ Championship

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 30, 2024 McLaren's Oscar Piastri crosses the line to win the sprint race ahead of second place McLaren's Lando Norris Pool via REUTERS/Altaf Qadri

Lando Norris’s drive-through penalty for speeding under yellow flags at the Qatar Grand Prix has left McLaren frustrated and pointing fingers at the FIA for what they believe was a disproportionate punishment and indecisive officiating. The costly penalty ultimately played a pivotal role in denying McLaren the 2024 Constructors’ Championship as the team now turns its attention to a nail-biting season finale in Abu Dhabi.


The Incident: A Costly Decision

The controversy unfolded on Lap 30 when Race Control briefly deployed double-waved yellow flags for a stray wing mirror left off the racing line at the Losail International Circuit. As Norris chased down race leader Max Verstappen, he failed to slow for the yellow flags while Verstappen backed off, leading to the penalty.

The FIA’s decision to issue a drive-through penalty—a severe punishment—dropped Norris from second place to last. Despite a spirited recovery to finish 10th and claim the fastest lap, the damage to McLaren’s title hopes was already done.


Andrea Stella: “Context and Proportion Were Missing”

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella did not mince words in criticizing the FIA’s handling of the situation, calling for greater context and proportionality in the application of penalties.

“In the application of the penalty, I think we have lost any sense of proportion and any sense of specificity,” Stella told Sky Sports F1. “Can we look specifically at the infringement, at the level of danger associated with the situation, and in fact, the yellow flag was removed?”

Stella argued that Norris’s punishment was overly harsh given the circumstances. He pointed out that the debris was off the racing line and there were no marshals or personnel on the track at the time.

“Rather than taking a look at any kind of rule book, probably full of dust on top of it, and then applying it without any sense of critical approach, there’s an opportunity to do better from the FIA,” Stella said.


FIA’s Indecision Under Fire

Adding to McLaren’s frustration was the FIA’s apparent lack of clarity in managing the situation. Race Director Rui Marques hesitated between deploying a virtual or full safety car and ultimately delayed taking action. This indecision only escalated the chaos when two cars later suffered punctures from the debris.

“I think it’s quite peculiar that the yellow flag was deployed and then removed, but actually, the situation in that sector was the same,” Stella said. “There was debris on track, but sometimes it deserved a yellow flag, and a few seconds after, it didn’t, which is just unfortunate.”


The Fallout: A Title Decided in Abu Dhabi

Norris’s penalty and subsequent loss of valuable points mean McLaren heads into the final race of the season with a slimmer-than-expected 21-point lead over Ferrari. While McLaren still controls its destiny, the Qatar GP was a massive missed opportunity to seal the title.

“Down to the wire,” McLaren tweeted post-race. “The battle for the Constructors’ Championship will be decided in Abu Dhabi!”


Conclusion: A Crucial Lesson for the FIA?

The Qatar GP has reignited debates about the FIA’s consistency and proportionality in penalty decisions. For McLaren, the focus now shifts to Abu Dhabi, where the Constructors’ Championship hangs in the balance. For the FIA, the incident underscores the need for clearer protocols and decision-making to avoid similar controversies in the future.

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