Lando Norris was on track for a strong P2 finish at the Qatar Grand Prix until his aggressive push to challenge Max Verstappen for victory turned into a costly mistake. During the heated battle, Norris failed to slow down under yellow flag conditions, a misstep Verstappen promptly reported over the team radio.

Footage from Norris’ onboard camera confirmed Verstappen’s concerns, with the McLaren driver neither visibly lifting off nor reducing engine revs. The FIA acted swiftly, slapping Norris with a 10-second stop-go penalty, one of the most severe punishments in Formula 1.

The penalty, which also required Norris to crawl through the pit lane at a maximum of 80 kph (49.7 mph), dropped him from a podium contention to the back of the grid in P15. Despite a valiant recovery effort, Norris could only manage a P10 finish, salvaging two points, including one for the fastest lap.

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the legitimacy of the penalty but criticized its severity. Speaking to Sky F1, Stella voiced his frustration over what he called a “disproportionate” punishment, questioning the FIA’s approach to enforcing rules:

“The application of the penalty, I think we’ve lost any sense of proportion and specificity,” Stella said. “Can we assess the level of danger, the specifics of the situation, and the fact the yellow flag was removed? Instead, we’re applying an outdated rulebook, probably gathering dust, without any critical judgment.”

McLaren’s Title Hopes Now on the Brink

Norris’ penalty couldn’t have come at a worse time for McLaren. The team had aimed to secure the Constructors’ Championship in Qatar by extending their 30-point lead over Ferrari by an additional 15 points. However, with Norris’ setback and Oscar Piastri’s modest P3 finish, the gap now stands at just 21 points.

The battle for the championship will come down to the wire in Abu Dhabi, as Ferrari closes in with renewed momentum.

A visibly disappointed Norris took responsibility for his mistake, cutting his post-race interviews short with brief responses:
“I don’t know if I’ve missed it or just been dumb, but the rule is, ‘if you don’t slow down under the yellow, that’s the penalty.’ So, it’s a fair penalty.”

With his P10 finish and Charles Leclerc’s P2 result, Norris now has only an eight-point buffer in the Drivers’ Championship standings, making the season finale a decisive showdown.

As McLaren braces for a high-stakes battle in Abu Dhabi, the team’s ability to overcome this setback will be critical in their quest for championship glory.