If you watched the 2024 United States Grand Prix yesterday, you couldn’t have missed it: Norris received a 5-second penalty for going off-track and gaining an advantage while overtaking Verstappen.
Since the incident happened just a few laps before the end, the British driver lost his P3 to Verstappen, missing out on some crucial points in the championship fight. The paddock and social media exploded, so let’s dive into why Norris was penalized and what this tells us about F1‘s famous driving guidelines.
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Norris vs. Verstappen: two controversial overtakes
During the 2024 USGP, Lando Norris started from pole but lost three positions following a controversial first-turn pass by Verstappen. Both drivers ended up off track, giving the lead to Leclerc (P1) and Sainz (P3). Fast forward to lap 52, with a determined Norris chasing Verstappen for P3 behind the two Ferraris. As they approached Turn 12, the two F1 cars were side by side. In the heat of the battle, Norris overtook Verstappen, but both cars ended up completing the maneuver off-track. The FIA stewards quickly stepped in, concluding that Lando gained an advantage by going off the circuit, thus violating a key rule: “leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage.” Although Verstappen also went off the track in defense, the penalty was handed to Norris because he wasn’t far enough alongside Verstappen at the apex to be entitled to the necessary space. The five-second penalty proved costly, dropping Norris to fourth. Unsurprisingly, this decision stirred up a lot of reactions.
F1 driving guidelines: what you need to know
The penalty given to Norris is based on the F1 “Driving Guidelines“, a confidential document shared with all F1 drivers and developed in collaboration with the FIA. These rules aim to standardize the decisions made by stewards, particularly regarding overtakes. In Norris’ case, the rules clearly state that a driver attempting an overtake on the outside must meet three criteria: having at least their front axle alongside the car they’re overtaking at the apex, performing the maneuver safely, and staying within track limits. According to the stewards, Norris didn’t meet the first criterion, meaning Verstappen had no obligation to leave him space on the exit of the corner. That’s what the guidelines say, but personally, I don’t fully agree with that assessment.
Two sides to every story 👇#F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/K2XlrTIIbC
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 21, 2024
Are track limits too strict in Formula 1?
One interesting aspect of this case is that Verstappen himself went off the track while defending his position but wasn’t penalized. This type of scenario, where track limits are breached, is common in Formula 1 and often sparks debates about the interpretation of rules. So, why was Norris‘ penalty reduced to five seconds instead of the ten recommended by the guidelines? The stewards determined that Norris had few alternatives because of Verstappen’s position. But this partial leniency only added to the overall confusion. Ultimately, while F1 aims to make its rules clearer, incidents like these highlights just how much real-time interpretation plays a crucial role in the stewards’ decisions. And let’s not forget, these stewards can change from race to race, adding yet another layer of complexity.
Why are the FIA’s decisions so controversial?
Alright, rules are rules. But what happens when one of the three conditions mentioned earlier isn’t met because the opposing driver attempted an overly aggressive move? In my opinion, the penalty wasn’t warranted, as Verstappen’s braking was far too late given his position. He was behind Norris and on the inside of the corner when he hit the brakes, making it nearly impossible for him to take the turn correctly while leaving room for Norris. What if he hadn’t moved over, and there was a crash? Wouldn’t the blame have fallen on Verstappen? And what about the penalty Russell received for a very similar move compared to Verstappen’s? Why wasn’t he penalized for the Turn 1 overtake on lap 1? This weekend has once again raised serious questions about the consistency of FIA decisions.
This article explores the controversy surrounding Lando Norris’ penalty at the 2024 US Grand Prix. We delve into the overtaking guidelines in F1, the nuances of on-track incidents, and why such decisions continue to spark debates in Formula 1.
Featured image: Red Bull Content Pool
