McLaren’s Andrea Stella disagrees with the decision to award Lando Norris a 10-second stop-and-go penalty at the Qatar GP. Stella believes that Norris was excessively punished for ignoring yellow flags on the start/finish straight.
Norris penalty deals significant blow to McLaren in battle against Ferrari
For the majority of the Qatar GP, McLaren were on track to extend their advantage over Ferrari in the Championship.
Norris and Piastri were running 2nd and 3rd before the first Safety Car. Until that point, Leclerc and Sainz had spent most of the race lagging behind.
A puncture for Carlos Sainz only worsened the dilemma for Fred Vasseur’s team, who were lacking pace relative to the SF-24 all weekend.
However, Lando Norris was hit with a massive 10-second stop and go penalty for failing to slow down under yellow flag conditions.
It was Max Verstappen who first noted that Norris didn’t appear to have slowed down when he should have.
Stella: Norris penalty was out of proportion
The British driver went from 2nd to well outside of the top 10. Norris could recover to 10th place, also setting the fastest lap to claim a second point.
According to Andrea Stella, the FIA were excessively harsh in their decision.
“I’m acknowledging that, checking the data, Lando did not slow down,” he told the media.
“But the lack of any specificity and proportion is very concerning. And is also a factor that could have a decisive impact on the championship.
“It’s definitely material that the FIA should consider very seriously if we want fairness to be part of going racing in Formula 1.”
Considering how tightly contested this year’s Championship battle has been, McLaren will be understandably frustrated by the Qatar GP outcome.
Whilst they still have a 21-point gap over Ferrari, the Woking squad would have preferred to have a larger advantage.
Norris’ penalty keeps Ferrari within striking range – especially if McLaren suffer a DNF.
Ferrari are certainly capable of securing a 1-2 finish in Abu Dhabi, even if their performance has dipped slightly in the last two rounds.
In any case, despite McLaren’s dissatisfaction, there are still well-positioned to secure their first constructors title this 21st century.
