Yahoo Autos McLaren lodges petition for review of Norris penalty
McLaren has lodged a petition for a right of review of the penalty handed out to Lando Norris for his overtaking move on Max Verstappen in the United States Grand Prix.
Norris was given a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage while fighting with Verstappen late in the race at COTA; Norris trying to overtake at Turn 12 and rejoining ahead of the Red Bull after Verstappen also left the track while defending the inside line. The penalty dropped Norris to fourth in the final results, one place behind Verstappen, who was promoted back to third.
The only way for such a stewards’ decision to be appealed is through the identification of new evidence, and McLaren now must prove that “a significant and relevant new element which was unavailable to the party seeking the review at the time of the decision” exists.
The first hearing will take place on Friday at 2:30pm Mexico City time via video conference, and will also involve Red Bull representatives as well as any other concerned party the stewards permit. If McLaren is successful in arguing there is a significant and relevant new element, then the review into the penalty will be held during a second hearing. If not, then the process ends at the first stage.
Norris is 57 points adrift of Verstappen in the drivers’ championship heading into this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, a gap that would be reduced to 51 points if McLaren is able to overturn the penalty.
