“Need Rules and a Strict Referee”: After Furore Over Lando Norris & Nico Hulkenberg’s Bizarre Penalties, Voice of F1 Comes to FIA’s Rescue

A sport as technical as Formula 1 is dependent on proper, and timely adjudication. The rules of the sport have to be imposed, however, in a uniform and reasonable manner so as to deliver the competitive spectacle that it inherently is. That being said, these past couple of years, F1 has fallen into disrepute due to what fans and paddock insiders have described as erratic decision-making from the rule enforcers. Things seem to have come to a head at the Canadian GP with Lando Norris and Nico Hulkenberg falling victim to this.

Hulkenberg scored a brilliant front-row finish for himself in the Qualifying session for the Canadian GP. But he received a three-place grid penalty for seemingly driving too fast under a Red Flag that arguably was waived after he set his fastest lap time. But Norris’ penalty was even bizarre! And that is what has tipped the voice of F1, Martin Brundle to step in and intervene.

Martin Brundle brutally sets record straight after Lando Norris penalty

Sky commentators, fans, and even Lando Norris himself were baffled at the sight of the five-second penalty. The stewards adjudged the Brit being guilty of ‘unsportsmanlike behavior’. But while the description was vague, the explanation later caused ever more furor.

Norris was penalized for unnecessarily backing the pack up under the Safety Car. However, according to Speedweek, Brundle said, “Even some opposing team bosses told me after the race that for a few years it was normal and accepted to build a small gap behind the safety car before a team made a double pit stop, which Lando was also convinced of.” [translated via Google]

And while the FIA keeps taking the blame for this, the ex-F1 driver decided to clear the air over both, Norris and Hulkenberg’s reprimands. “Of course, as in any sport, you need rules and a strict referee, otherwise chaos and anarchy will quickly prevail. But I have the impression that our constantly evolving and complex rules are ripe for cleaning and streamlining.”

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The FIA will take stock of the situation, but McLaren themselves have a debrief-and-a-half on their hands.

Norris under review after Canadian GP misery

After putting on a solid show with some spectacular overtakes over the course of the Grand Prix, Norris came out of the race empty-handed. While a confusing stewards’ call caused this result, the team is cautious before pointing any fingers at the powers that be.

Team principal, Andrea Stella revealed after the race, “There’s the possibility the stewards want to set new references. We will discuss with them. Ultimately, we trust their judgment but we are reviewing the behavior of Lando because we come out of this race very surprised that this has caused a penalty.”

What did you make of the Steward’s decisions at the Canadian Grand Prix?

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