Norris, Russell, Tsunoda and Lawson face FIA investigation for Brazilian GP aborted start
Lando Norris has found himself at the centre of an FIA investigation following an alleged infringement of the starting procedure at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver had got away as normal on the formation lap but plans for the original start had to be aborted after Lance Stroll crashed out at Turn 4.
With Stroll’s Aston Martin beached in the gravel, the FIA elected to abort the start just as the cars formed up on the grid.
When the ‘aborted start’ message was displayed, Norris immediately set off again to complete an extra formation lap – which is a breach of the regulations.
Along with Norris, George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson were all placed under investigation for the same infringement.
Article 47. 1 of F1’s Sporting Regulations states that: “If the formation lap has started, and the Race Director decides the start should be aborted, the abort lights will be switched on, a board saying “ABORTED START” will be displayed, all cars should return to the grid and all Competitors will be informed of the likely delay using the official messaging system.
“The starting procedure will begin again at the ten (10) minute signal. Every time this happens the sprint session or the race will be shortened by one (1) lap.”
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images
Norris should have stayed stationary on the grid and awaited a proper restart, rather than going for an extra formation lap.
A number of other drivers, including Norris’ championship rival Max Verstappen, initially stayed on the grid as the rules dictate – before eventually getting going again.
The FIA made an immediate notification that Norris was being investigated for his breach, with the other three drivers then also investigated.
During the Brazilian GP, which got going once the aborted start procedure was completed, the FIA stewards announced the incident would be investigated after the race for Norris, Russell, Tsunoda and Lawson.
Russell and team-mate Lewis Hamilton are also being investigated by the stewards for an alleged tyre infringement on the grid when the tyres pressures were adjusted when already fitted to the car.
