McLaren insist stewards made “provable error” after losing bid for review of Norris’ penalty · RaceFans

McLaren say they disagree with the stewards’ refusal to reconsider the penalty issued to Lando Norris in last week’s United States Grand Prix.

The team continue to insist the stewards viewed the matter incorrectly by judging that Norris, not Max Verstappen, was the driver performing an overtaking move as they entered turn 12 on lap 52 during last week’s race. Norris moved ahead of the Red Bull driver as they approached the corner, then fell behind him again as Verstappen braked late on his inside before running off the circuit.

In a hearing at the track on Friday, McLaren argued the stewards should reconsider the case as the decision they issued was itself incorrect. In an attempt to satisfy the rule requiring teams to provide new evidence in order for a review to take place, McLaren submitted the stewards’ decision document itself.

However, the stewards ruled this was an “unsustainable” argument, stating McLaren’s claim of an error could not be taken as evidence of one. “The concept that the written decision (document number 69) was the significant and relevant new element, or that an error in the decision was a new element, is not sustainable and is, therefore rejected,” they stated.

In a statement acknowledging the stewards’ decision, McLaren explained why they continue to believe their decision was incorrect. “We disagree with the interpretation that an FIA document, which makes a competitor aware of an objective, measurable and provable error in the decision made by the stewards, cannot be an admissible ‘element’ which meets all four criteria set by the ISC, as specified in Article 14.3.”

In their decision yesterday the stewards noted the Right of Review process presented a “high bar” for teams to clear when challenging decisions made during a race. McLaren indicated they intend to continue pressing the FIA on this point.

“We would like to thank the FIA and the stewards for having considered this case in a timely manner,” they added. “We will continue to work closely with the FIA to further understand how teams can constructively challenge decisions that lead to an incorrect classification of the race.”

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