After the 2024 United States Grand Prix, the FIA finally addressed the recent penalty imposed on Lando Norris, a key contender in the Driver’s Championship.
Norris, driving for McLaren, received a five-second penalty following an overtaking attempt that ultimately placed him fourth, behind Max Verstappen from Red Bull Racing. This decision stirred debate over the regulation’s interpretation, leaving many experts questioning whether it was the right call.
The incident occurred on Lap 52 at Turn 12 when Norris tried to get past Verstappen on the outside after pursuing him for several laps. However, as Verstappen defended his position, Norris found himself squeezed off track, leading to the controversy.
The FIA swiftly reviewed the situation and cited Article 33.3 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, which states that an overtaking driver must be level with the car they are trying to pass by the apex of the corner. If this is not met, the driver loses the right to the corner. As per FIA’s official findings:
“Car 4 was attempting to overtake Car 1 from the outside but was not level with Car 1 at the apex, thus losing the right to the corner.”
While the stewards typically impose a ten-second penalty, they opted for a five-second penalty in this case due to the unique circumstances surrounding the incident.
They noted that: “The five-second penalty was warranted as the driver had limited options after committing to the overtaking maneuver on the outside, leading to his departure from the track.”
The FIA’s decision, backed by position data, marshalling signals, and extensive video footage, indicated that while a penalty was warranted, the mitigating circumstances justified a lesser sanction. McLaren is allowed to appeal the penalty, but team principal Andrea Stella confirmed they would not pursue it, stating:
“It’s frustrating as it cost us a podium, but I doubt further protests would change the outcome,” he affirmed via Sports Illustrated.
Norris currently trails Verstappen by 57 points, with Charles Leclerc, fresh off his first win at the U.S. Grand Prix, in close pursuit. While McLaren leads the Constructor’s Standings, both Red Bull and Ferrari are hot on their heels.
Clearly frustrated, Norris expressed confusion over the inconsistency in rulings, stating: “We both went off the track; the rules are confusing given that a similar situation at Turn 1 earlier in the race had no penalties.” This inconsistency highlights ongoing concerns about the fairness and transparency of judgments in Formula One.