In a bold move, McLaren has officially asked the FIA to review the penalty handed out to Lando Norris after his thrilling fight with Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix. This intense clash for the final podium spot at the Circuit of the Americas left fans and the F1 paddock in turmoil over the state of the racing regulations. With a five-second penalty ultimately costing him third place, McLaren is demanding clarity and consistency from the sport’s governing body.
On lap 52 of the race in Austin, the McLaren of Norris and the Red Bull of Verstappen found themselves engaged in a fierce duel. The struggle drove both drivers off the track, causing Norris to complete his overtake off-track – a maneuver which Verstappen immediately radioed, saying: “He overtook me off-track.” However, many spectators sided with Norris, arguing that Verstappen had forced the McLaren driver off the line. With the FIA imposing a series of similar penalties throughout the weekend, the inconsistency of the regulations became a sticking point among teams and commentators.
In response to the stewards’ call to COTA, McLaren invokes Article 14 of the FIA International Sporting Code. This “Right to Review” petition challenges the decision of the United States Grand Prix, citing Article 33.3 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, which governs track limits and conduct when overtaking. The team argues that commissioners may have omitted crucial details in assessing the incident.
FIA representatives have confirmed a video conference with McLaren scheduled for October 25, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. Mexico time, just before the Mexican GP. The hearing will be divided into two stages: the first to determine whether McLaren has discovered “significant and relevant new evidence” not available during the initial review. If this is the case, a second hearing will be organized to assess the merits of this new information.
The controversy around Turn 12 has also sparked calls for potential changes to the track, with experts advocating for changes to COTA to avoid such disputes in the future. As the FIA prepares to review McLaren’s appeal, the outcome could have far-reaching implications, setting a precedent for how racing incidents are judged in Formula 1 in the future. For now, all eyes are on Mexico, where the McLaren-FIA clash will add an extra layer of tension to the weekend’s races.
