The penalty points system was brought into F1 in an attempt to regulate the number of incidents that could take place on the track. A large collection of penalties threatens a race ban; thus, drivers keep themselves in check. However, McLaren boss Zak Brown argues that the system needs to be revisited, using Lando Norris as an example.

Putting up a case for his star driver, Brown said, “Lando Norris risked missing a race and I don’t remember an occasion in which he rode dangerously. I couldn’t even think of how he managed to accumulate so many penalty points on the Super License.”

The events of the season finale have put the spotlight on the FIA, and the regulations of the sport. Brown believes that this opportunity should be used to review other rules as well. “There are several issues that deserve a review; the penalty points are among these. We need a review of the penalty system, drivers should only be sanctioned if they really drive in a dangerous way, not for other situations in which safety is not jeopardized.”

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Norris has a good impression of being a fair driver on the track. However, Norris has received penalty points for what he argues to be purely racing incidents.

How did Lando Norris collect so many penalty points?

During the latter half of the 2021 season, Lando Norris picked up five penalty points. These will remain on his Super license until after the Azerbaijan GP in June. Uncomfortably close to a race ban, Norris’ incidents sparked a debate about the system.

Brown recalls Norris’ stint in Austria. ” I am thinking for example of the two penalty points taken by Lando Norris simply because in a sector of a track that was drying he was faster under the yellow flag regime. Rather than canceling the timed time relating to that lap.”

Even Norris was frustrated with the decision. “If you do genuinely overtake [under] a yellow flag and do something else that’s clearly a rule that will put people in danger then I understand penalty points for a driver, and if that adds up you get a driver ban or race ban, but for little things like this, it’s stupid in my opinion. It’s not what Formula 1 should be.”

With many drivers and F1 team bosses questioning the penalty points system, could the FIA add it to its list of reformations ahead of the 2022 season?

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