FIA Clears Quartet in Interlagos Start Procedure Probe

The FIA concluded its review without imposing penalties, reprimanding Norris while clearing Russell, Tsunoda, and Lawson in Brazil.

The FIA has decided not to issue sporting penalties for the four drivers under investigation for initiating a second formation lap in Brazil without approval from race control. The stewards opted only for a reprimand and did not alter the race results.

Four of the top five on the grid—Lando Norris, George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson—were under investigation by race stewards for initiating a second formation lap after race control had displayed the “start suspended” signal.

The stewards deemed Norris responsible for leading the other three drivers, while other drivers, such as Esteban Ocon, waited for a signal before moving. This variable penalty raised some questions, which the stewards addressed as follows:

“The F1 race director implemented the ‘start suspended’ procedure, indicating that drivers were not to leave the grid. This message was necessary as there was a car off-track at Turn 4 that required recovery,” they wrote.

“Although the signal was properly given, the light panel activated as intended, and teams were informed via the messaging system, the driver commenced a lap he assumed was an additional formation lap.”

“Since the driver was on the front row of the grid, this led following drivers to take similar actions. At a certain point, the race director realized that, practically, all cars would need to complete an additional formation lap.”

The reprimand and a €5,000 fine were imposed for the following reason: “In the view of the stewards, the driver (Norris) prompted the actions of those directly behind him on the grid.”

For the other drivers, the judgment read: “In the stewards’ opinion, although the driver breached the regulation, he was influenced by the driver ahead of him and, as such, was not responsible for the infraction. Therefore, the stewards decided not to take further action after concluding that the immediately preceding driver was at fault.”

Finally, Carlos Sainz received a reprimand for driving among marshals who had begun maneuvering to assist his car after his crash. He admitted he had not seen that they had started, thus avoiding a harsher penalty.