McLaren instigate review into Lando Norris penalty in bid to get USA GP result overturned

Lando Norris was handed a five-second time penalty during the United States Grand Prix after a late clash with Max Verstappen, but McLaren are now hoping to have it overturned

McLaren have instigated a right of review procedure into the penalty handed to Lando Norris during last week’s USA Grand Prix.

Norris had started the race on pole but a disastrous opening lap saw him plummet down the grid. McLaren’s decision to hold his pit stop until after Max Verstappen’s allowed the British driver to catch up to his World Championship title rival.

But as he tried to pass the Dutchman into third place at Turn 12, both ran wide way off the track. Both drivers claimed the other had forced them off the track, but it was Norris who was handed a five-second penalty by the stewards.

That dropped him back behind Verstappen in what could be a crucial turning point in the title race. Verstappen took an early lead in a bid to win his fourth world championship title, but Norris and McLaren have surged into contention.

With five races remaining, there are 57 points between the title rivals. But before this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, McLaren have launched a right of review into Norris’ penalty.

In a statement, McLaren confirmed it had submitted a petition for a review “relating to the decision to penalise Lando with a 5 second penalty at the 2024 United States Grand Prix, for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage, which we believe to be unfair.

“We believe there is a significant and new element that was unavailable to us at the time the decision was made. We have submitted the relevant paperwork with the FIA and will issue no further comment while this process is ongoing.

“We have the utmost respect for the FIA and the Stewards for the difficult job that they do and appreciate the open and collaborative relationship we enjoy with them.”

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McLaren will be required to provide a “significant and relevant new element which was unavailable to the party seeking the review at the time of the decision concerned.” If the stewards deem this new element admissible, they will review the case in the second part of a hearing.

If they then decide the penalty was wrong, the result of the USA Grand Prix will be overturned, with Norris being classified as finishing third and Verstappen fourth. The hearing will take place on Friday at 2:30 p.m. local time in Mexico, between the first and second practices. Red Bull has also been summoned to send a representative to the hearing.

It is not clear yet what new evidence McLaren will be presenting. Norris for his part is adamant that the penalty was wrong and insisted that many of those watching the race would agree with him.

“He did what I guess he thought was right, I did what I thought was right,” Norris said. “I still disagree, and I think as a team, we still disagree. I think the majority of people who were watching disagreed with the penalty that I got.

“But I’ll make the changes that I need to make, whether it’s being more aggressive at times, or less aggressive, or whatever. I’ll do what I think is right.”