McLaren Calls for Inquiry into Norris' Qatar Penalty

McLaren has called for an inquiry into the penalty Lando Norris received for ignoring yellow flags during the Qatar Grand Prix. Team principal Andrea Stella criticized the 10-second stop-and-go penalty which dropped Norris from second place to 10th, as lacking “specificity and proportion.” The penalty severely impacted McLaren’s chances for the constructors’ championship, reducing their lead over Ferrari to 21 points with just one race left in Abu Dhabi.

The penalty resulted from Norris ignoring yellow flags that warned of debris on the track after Alex Albon’s Williams lost a wing mirror. The mirror stayed on the track for several laps and after Valtteri Bottas’ car struck it, shards of carbon fiber and glass spread across the circuit. This caused punctures for Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz before the safety car deployed.

Stella argued that the penalty was overly harsh, noting the lack of clear danger when Norris passed the yellow flags. While the FIA claimed the penalty followed safety guidelines, Stella and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed concerns over the governing body’s decision-making, citing inconsistency and a lack of clarity in applying penalties.

The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about FIA leadership, following recent high-profile departures within the organization. Wolff suggested that the FIA’s handling of the situation has created unnecessary drama and that decisions should prioritize fairness and transparency for the sport’s future.

Stella emphasized that McLaren called for a review to improve the sport and ensure that penalties are applied fairly and proportionately in future races.