McLaren has appealed the 5-second penalty imposed on Lando Norris in Austin
After gathering new elements, especially related to telemetry, McLaren believes it is within their rights to appeal the 5-second penalty imposed on Lando Norris in Austin, relegating him to 4th position after he went off track while overtaking Max Verstappen.
The controversy of last week in Austin, during the US Grand Prix, continues to stir up the paddock. This Thursday evening, McLaren officially lodged a complaint against the FIA for the decision to impose a 5-second penalty at the end of the Austin Grand Prix last Sunday.
« The stewards have received a request for a Right of Review in accordance with Article 14 of the FIA International Sporting Code, issued by the McLaren Formula 1 team, in relation to the decision of the stewards of the United States Grand Prix 2024, document 69, regarding a breach of Article 33.3 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations in connection with car number 4. » details the press release from the FIA reserved for the media.
This decision follows McLaren’s search and discovery of new telemetry-related elements that were not available to the race stewards at last week’s United States Grand Prix, and which, according to McLaren, could change the decision made.
Indeed, Lando Norris was penalized with a 5-second penalty in Austin for overtaking Max Verstappen outside the track limits and the FIA deemed that this had allowed him to gain an advantage. The McLaren driver was also under sanction for having already exceeded track limits several times during the race. However, the penalty given was specifically related to overtaking outside the limits and not giving back the position to Max Verstappen.
According to the telemetry available to everyone in the paddock, Max Verstappen braked much later than usual during his defense, forcing him to brake outside the track limits. Lando Norris, according to McLaren, therefore avoided the collision and dangerous driving of the three-time world champion.
A first step this Friday
The FIA will meet with McLaren at 2:30 pm local time, which is 10:30 pm in France, to obtain the new information. Red Bull will probably also participate.
« A team representative is required to participate in a video conference with the commissioners at 2:30 p.m. (Mexico time) on Friday, October 25, 2024, regarding the above subject. Any other “party concerned” may request permission from the commissioners to participate.
This hearing will take place in two parts. The first part will determine whether there is new and relevant information that was not available to the party requesting the review at the time of the decision concerned.
« If the commissioners, in accordance with Article 14.3, in their sole discretion, find that such an element exists, a second part of the hearing will be convened at a later date. »
It should be noted that if the new elements allow questioning the FIA’s decision, it is the drivers’ championship that will take on a whole new perspective. If indeed Max Verstappen is considered responsible for dangerous driving, he could be disqualified or penalized in turn. If, on the contrary, the FIA considers that, even without possessing the telemetry, the judgment had already taken into account the late braking, then this appeal will be rejected as early as this Friday.
