FIA announce McLaren penalty verdict following Lando Norris …read more
The FIA has concluded its investigation into the unusual situation involving Lando Norris during Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the Miami Grand Prix and has decided not to issue a penalty to either the driver or his team, McLaren. The incident occurred when Norris reported an odd issue shortly after taking to the track. He radioed his team to report that tools, including an LED torch, were still in the cockpit of his car as he began his run.
After quickly returning to the pits, the situation was noted by the FIA as a possible breach of Article 34.14(c) of the sporting regulations. This rule concerns the release of a car in an unsafe condition, which could result in disciplinary action, including a potential grid penalty.
Following a review, the FIA determined that although the car was indeed released in an unsafe state, the circumstances and response warranted leniency. During the hearing, McLaren acknowledged the error, explaining that the oversight was a genuine mistake. The team admitted to inadvertently leaving two torches inside the cockpit when Car 4 — Norris’ car — was sent out on track.
The FIA’s official statement emphasized that the issue was mitigated by Norris’ quick response. The British driver noticed the objects immediately after exiting the pit lane and was able to secure them while safely making his way back to the garage. According to the stewards, his rapid recognition of the problem and controlled return to the pits prevented any further risk or danger.
“The Stewards determine that the incident qualifies as a car being released in an unsafe condition, but the driver realised the problem extremely quickly and reacted adequately to prevent any unsafe or dangerous situation. This is taken into account in mitigation and a Warning to the Competitor is issued,” the FIA’s report stated.
As a result, McLaren has been issued a formal warning rather than a sporting penalty. No grid drop or further sanctions will be applied for the Miami Grand Prix weekend. This decision allows Norris to proceed through the race weekend without the burden of a penalty stemming from the FP1 mishap.
Norris heads into the Miami GP trailing his teammate Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ standings. His season has seen ups and downs, most recently highlighted by a strong recovery drive in Saudi Arabia, where he bounced back from a qualifying crash to climb from 10th to a fourth-place finish.
The FIA’s decision reflects the understanding that while rules were breached, the situation did not escalate due to swift action from both the driver and the team.
