Stella Defends Norris After Confusing Interlagos Start Call

Race Control’s Delays Spark Debate in Norris Incident

08/11/2024

McLaren’s Andrea Stella defends Lando Norris’s actions, calling for clearer race procedures after Interlagos start confusion stirred controversy.

Andrea Stella has staunchly defended Lando Norris’s misstep at Interlagos, where the McLaren driver left the grid prematurely just as race control had only just canceled the start, and before signaling for drivers to complete an additional formation lap.

Race control’s intention was to halt the start and reset the grid preparation for ten more minutes. However, Norris initiated a formation lap, effectively shortening the race distance by one lap. For this miscalculation, he received a reprimand and a fine.

“When examining the finer points of the regulation, it becomes somewhat intricate, as the additional formation lap procedure involves distinctions between a delayed start and an aborted start with a return to the grid,” Stella commented.

“There are technical nuances that may have made the situation slightly ambiguous for Lando. I assume he simply reacted instinctively to the lights at that moment.”

Beyond the absence of any competitive gain for his driver, Stella believes that race control was overly slow in canceling the start, despite the situation’s apparent urgency. “Overall, we consider this a very minor incident. Nevertheless, it serves to underscore the need for clearer instructions in such scenarios.”

“The decision came notably late, and Lando had been sitting on pole position for a considerable period by then. If the start was to be aborted, it was evident early on that conditions warranted it. This delay likely contributed to the driver’s confusion.”

Stella Defends Norris After Confusing Interlagos Start Call Stella Defends Norris After Confusing Interlagos Start Call

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