Despite a promising start, which saw him taking second after a successful overtake on Mercedes’ George Russell into the first corner, McLaren Racing’s Lando Norris’ 2024 F1 Qatar GP race ultimately ended in disappointment with the British driver finishing tenth after a contentious mid-race penalty.
Norris penalised after failing to slow for double-waved yellow flags during Qatar GP
On Lap 30 of the Qatar GP, Williams Racings’ Alexander Albon lost his wing mirror on a straight. Race control officials quickly noticed this and immediately deployed double-waved yellow flags, requiring all drivers to significantly reduce their pace.
However, on Lap 32, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, the team leader, asked over the team radio if Norris, who had been chasing Verstappen for the race lead, had “lifted” in the yellow flag zone. Verstappen noted that the gap to Norris had dropped to 1.2 seconds, despite both drivers being required to slow. This, he suggested, should not have been possible if both drivers had been obeying the regulations as required. Red Bull, subsequently confirmed that Norris had not lifted in the affected zone.
Norris dropped back after the issue was raised, falling to about 2.5 seconds behind Verstappen by Lap 34. Despite this, he was noted for the incident. On Lap 42, the stewards announced an investigation into Norris for failing to slow under the double-waved yellow flags.
The decision
In Lap 45 of the race, the stewards found Norris in breach Appendix H, Article 2.5.5. b) of the International Sporting Code. This article states that double-waved yellow flags indicate danger and instructs drivers to significantly reduce their speed. It also forbids overtaking and advises drivers to be prepared to change direction or stop upon given instruction.
The stewards also noted that Norris had not complied with the Race Director’s Event Notes. These notes further emphasise the guidelines stated in Appendix H, Article 2.5.5. b). As stated in the Event Notes:
“Any driver passing through a double-waved yellow marshalling sector must reduce speed significantly and be prepared to change direction or stop. In order for the stewards to be satisfied that any such driver has complied with these requirements it must be clear that he has not attempted to set a meaningful lap time…”
In FIA 2024 Qatar Grand Prix Document 64, the stewards stated that their review of available telemetry and onboard audio “clearly showed” that Norris had not reduced his speed despite the double-waved yellow flags and yellow lights being “clearly visible” to him.
The decision
After consideration of the evidence, the stewards deemed Norris to have failed to slow for the double-waved yellow flags. They subsequently handed him a 10-second stop-and-go penalty. As Norris was required to serve this penalty during the race, he was brought into the pitlane on Lap 46. This cost him approximately 30 seconds. By the time he returned to the track, he had fallen to the back of the pack, 16 seconds behind RB’s Liam Lawson. Norris ultimately finished the race tenth, but earned an extra point after claiming the fastest lap.
The stewards also issued three penalty points on Norris’ super licence, bringing his total to three for the 12-month period.
Though some, including McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, criticised the penalty as being too harsh, the stewards explained that the matter had been one of safety. As shown in Document 64, they stated that “compliance with the yellow flag rules is paramount for the safety of all parties, and this requirement is clearly noted in the first item of the Race Director’s Event Notes at every event.”
Disappointed Norris “let the team down” during Qatar GP
While speaking with the media after the race, Norris admitted that he was disappointed with the outcome of the race. Despite this, he took responsibility for having cost McLaren points in their battle for the 2024 World Constructors’ Championship.
“Disappointed, of course. I let the team down.”
“The team gave me a great car today. Easily the quickest out there and I fucked it up.”
He claimed that he could not understand why he had failed to slow under the double-waved yellow flags, noting that it was a rule with which he was extremely familiar.
“I don’t know what I did wrong. You know, I’m not an idiot. If there’s a yellow flag, I know I need to slow down.”
“That’s rule number one you learn in go-karts.”
While Norris claimed to have “missed” the double-waved yellow flags, despite the stewards’ claim that they had been visible, he acknowledged that the penalty was fair.
“For some reason, I didn’t do that today because I’ve not seen it or I’ve missed it or something. So I have to take it on the chin.”
“They think I’ve done something wrong, I must have done something wrong. I can only apologise for the rest of the year to the team.
“If I did what they said I did wrong, then good on them for giving the correct penalty.”
When asked for his thoughts on Verstappen having raised the issue with Red Bull, which subsequently, had led to the penalty, Norris stated that Verstappen had done as all drivers did.
“Good, good on him. That’s what everyone does.
Norris also confirmed that McLaren would not be appealing the penalty.
Norris disappointed with P10 Qatar GP race finish “with the quickest car”
Despite the penalty, Norris stated that he had not given up on the race. Instead, he found his way through the pack, ultimately earning a P10 finish and the fastest lap time.
“I didn’t give up until the end.”
“I did the best I could”
However, despite his achievement, Norris expressed disappointment at the outcome. While he praised Verstappen’s strong race performance, he lamented losing the opportunity for a higher finishing position.
“Disappointed to only get two points with the quickest car out there today.”
“The team gave me the best car out there today and I’m very happy and thankful for them to do so.”
“I got a good start, I got past George [Russell]. I thought that George would be our biggest competitor today and that wasn’t the case. Max was and he did an incredible job.”
Qatar GP “a massive opportunity lost”
When asked how he intended to approach the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris stated that the team would continue striving for excellence. However, he added that he would try to avoid mistakes similar to that which had earned him the heavy penalty.
“We’re going the same as every weekend. Wanting to win, wanting to be the best, wanting to be the fastest.”
“I just need to not be an idiot and do what I did today.”
However, the McLaren driver admitted that he did not expect his MCL38 to perform as well as it had in Qatar.
“I don’t think it will be as good as today.”
He again lamented the “massive opportunity lost” for points, especially as Ferrari had closed the gap between the teams in the Constructors’ Championship.
“It’s a massive opportunity lost, and I’ve disappointed the whole team. The only thing I care about is my team.”
McLaren’s battle for the 2024 World Constructors’ Championship
Due to Norris’ P10 finish and fastest lap, and teammate Oscar Piastri’s P3 finish, McLaren have added another 17 points to their tally in the WCC. This brings their total to an impressive 640 points.
However, the WCC title will not be decided until the checkered flag falls in Abu Dhabi, as their rivals, Scuderia Ferrari, have reduced the points gap between the teams to just 21 points, after raining their tally to 619.
Despite struggling during the race, the Maranello-based team earned 26 points after P2 and P6 finishes by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz respectively. If Ferrari can make up this points difference in the race, they will take the title.
