As the Mexican Grand Prix begins, new evidence has emerged related to Norris’s overtake on Verstappen in Austin.
To recap, Norris was penalized at last week’s U.S. Grand Prix, costing him valuable points in the F1 driver standings. While the penalty was initially justified by the FIA, it has since sparked considerable debate. McLaren has now brought new information to light that could challenge this penalty – and possibly the rules themselves.
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Norris vs. Verstappen: the clash of the 2024 season
In their clash at Austin, Norris and Verstappen battled for every inch of track at Turn 12 of the Circuit of the Americas. According to Norris, he was clearly ahead before being forced off the track, while the stewards saw it differently. They felt that Norris overtook Verstappen “off track,” gaining a time advantage and thus forfeiting his right to maneuvering space. McLaren disagrees with this view and wants to introduce fresh evidence to reopen the penalty case. Fans are closely following this debate, as it raises questions about roles on track: who was truly “attacking,” and who should have been defending? Was Verstappen’s move really fair?
McLaren provides new video evidence
This week, additional footage from both drivers’ onboard cameras has surfaced, putting the penalty back into question. This rarely-seen video reveals that Norris seemed to be ahead at the braking point. Could this new perspective overturn the decision? The incident echoes the 2021 Brazilian GP, where Mercedes used video evidence to challenge Verstappen’s (again) aggressive defense against Hamilton. McLaren hopes that with these 360-degree camera angles, the stewards will reassess the incident, allowing Norris to reclaim his P3 finish and three crucial points in the F1 driver standings. The gap between the two drivers remains substantial, and McLaren must leave no stone unturned if they hope to see their driver crowned champion.
Brazil 2021: a game-changing precedent
McLaren’s push is the “right of review” of stewards’ decisions, a rarely used process in Formula 1. Back in 2021 at the Brazilian GP, Verstappen forced Lewis Hamilton off the track in an overly aggressive move. Mercedes-AMG later submitted video evidence, prompting the stewards to reexamine the incident. This time, however, McLaren’s case is backed by precise camera angles and testimony, unlike 2021, when no formal decision was made against Verstappen. McLaren’s challenge now is to convince the stewards that the new footage offers a significant element capable of reversing the verdict. If the stewards decide to proceed with the review, it could pave the way for more future revisions, providing teams a means to contest penalties based on new evidence. Perhaps the issue isn’t Verstappen’s defense or Norris’s attack, but rather the rulebook itself.
Why has Williams choose yellow for its livery for the next GPs
This article explores the intriguing context behind McLaren’s review request and its potential impact on the 2024 season. With fresh video angles, debates on defense and attack, and critical stakes around penalty revisions, this Norris-Verstappen duel might just rewrite some F1 rules.
Images: Red Bull Content Pool