McLaren Triumphs as FIA Acknowledges Oversight

FIA Admits Error: Verstappen Missed Black-White Flag

07/07/2024

The FIA has admitted a misstep in not showing Verstappen the warning flag, while McLaren secures a victory in procedural debates.

McLaren F1 has received a response from the FIA, which has acknowledged its error in handling the incident involving Max Verstappen in Austria.

As reported, Andrea Stella, the team director from Woking, sought clarification from the FIA following the handling of the Verstappen/Norris duel in Austria.

The FIA has conceded that Max Verstappen should have been issued a black and white warning flag for moving under braking.

F1 Race Director Niels Wittich agreed that the governing body should have been more proactive during the race and issued a warning to the Dutch driver.

The black and white flag “should only be shown once and serves as a warning to the driver concerned for unsportsmanlike behaviour or for an action that may incur a penalty if repeated.”

Andrea Stella expressed satisfaction with this outcome.

“We are pleased because I believe the FIA has made its stance clear on what transpired in Austria, and we are satisfied that their view confirms our immediate post-race understanding was correct, and to some extent during the race.”

“During the race, your ability to influence is limited, as you can’t even speak to the stewards. You can talk to the race director, but he does not speak to the stewards.”

“Our understanding has therefore been confirmed by the FIA, which has evidently reviewed it internally and possibly updated its interpretation.”

“And I think we all agree that a warning should have been issued to Max, if not a black and white flag. That would have prevented an escalation that led to the collision.”

McLaren Triumphs as FIA Acknowledges Oversight. McLaren Triumphs as FIA Acknowledges Oversight

McLaren Triumphs as FIA Acknowledges Oversight

F1 Standings 2025
F1 Standings 2025
#
Driver
Points
1
Driver Flag
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
0
2
Driver Flag
Lando Norris
McLaren
0
3
Driver Flag
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
0
4
Driver Flag
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
0
5
Driver Flag
Carlos Sainz
Williams
0
6
Driver Flag
George Russell
Mercedes
0
#
Team
Points
1
McLaren
Norris & Piastri
0
2
Ferrari
Leclerc & Hamilton
0
3
Red Bull
Verstappen & Lawson
0
4
Mercedes
Russell & Antonelli
0
5
Aston Martin
Alonso & Stroll
0
6
Alpine
Gasly & Doohan
0
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Race Date
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Australian
Albert Park
16 Mar
China Flag
Chinese
Shanghai International
23 Mar
Japan Flag
Japanese
Suzuka Circuit
6 Apr
Bahrain Flag
Bahrain
Bahrain International
13 Apr
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Saudi Arabian
Jeddah Street
20 Apr
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Australian GP
13 Mar - 16 Mar
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FP1 13 MAR 15:30
FP2 13 MAR 19:00
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