Lando Norris has again criticized the rule that allows drivers to change tires during a stoppage in a Formula 1 race. That’s what helped Max Verstappen win the São Paulo Grand Prix today.
The Briton in the colors of McLaren had a unique chance in Brazil to significantly reduce Verstappen’s lead at the head of the standings. He started the race at the Interlagos circuit from the first position, while Verstappen started from the 17th place due to a failed qualification and a penalty for changing the power unit.
At the start, Norris lost the lead when George Russell passed him. He rode in second position for a long time until heading to the pits after the rain on the track intensified. Other riders from the front positions also headed towards the mechanics.
On the contrary, Verstappen, as well as the Alpina drivers who eventually reached the podium together with him, stayed on the track until they reached the first three positions. At that moment the race was slowed down by the safety car and subsequently interrupted due to Franco Colapinto’s accident.
During the stoppage of the race, all three were able to fit new intermediate tires without losing their position through a pit stop.
According to Norris, this is what decided the outcome of today’s race.
“You can change tires at a red flag. That’s what others did, so we were just unlucky. Sometimes it just works out for you,” said Norris, who finished sixth at the finish line.
“We didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t care what people say, staying on track was not the right thing to do. The race wasn’t supposed to be stopped, but eventually there was an accident that caused a red flag. Such is life sometimes. You take a risk, it worked out for them. It’s not talent, it’s just luck. We just had a bit of bad luck,” said the Brit.
On the restart of the race, Norris also made mistakes on a wet track and lost several places.
“But I also made a few mistakes. I had cars left and right. I locked the rear wheels, went wide and lost two positions. I was a bit unlucky there, it was my fault.
“It was not an ideal race for me. But I think for the drivers who went into the pits and were unlucky, fourth place was the maximum today.”
The McLaren pilot is also being investigated for a possible violation of the rules. The start of the race was postponed after Lance Stroll spun in the warm-up lap. From pole position, Norris nevertheless started with the rest of the starting field for the next warm-up lap, although the starting lights did not signal it to him.
Piastri missed the penalty
McLaren’s co-pilot Oscar Piastri crossed the finish line in seventh place and was classified eighth. The Australian received a ten-second penalty in the race for a collision with Liam Lawson, which was added to him only at the finish of the race. In the results, he dropped from seventh to eighth place behind Júki Cunoda.
