FIA confirms change to regulations after drama involving Max Verstappen and Lando Norris

According to one report from BBC SportThe FIA ​​has confirmed a change in regulations following an incident involving Formula 1 drivers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the United States Grand Prix.

The incident took place during the final stages of the United States Grand Prix at Turn 12, where Norris tried to overtake Verstappen on the outside. Both drivers went wide, putting Norris back on track ahead of Verstappen. Norris was assessed a five-second time penalty for gaining a lead by leaving the track, ultimately relegating him to fourth behind Verstappen. This decision sparked debate among drivers, who felt the move fell into a regulatory gray area.

The driver briefing prior to the Mexican Grand Prix was aimed at resolving the uncertainties surrounding the incident. The BBC Sport report states:

“The FIA ​​said at its drivers’ briefing in Mexico on Friday, sources at the meeting told BBC Sport, that it would come up with revised wording to address the details of the incident and submit it to drivers for approval later this season .

“The FIA ​​did not provide details of what would change, but the admission came in the context of a discussion about the tactics Verstappen had used to maintain his position and whether he should have been punished.”

McLaren had submitted a ‘right to review’ request over the penalty imposed on Norris. However, this was later refused by the FIA. The FIA response stated:

“This is unsustainable. A request for review is filed to correct an error (factual or legal) in a decision. Each new element must demonstrate that error.

“The error which must be shown to exist cannot itself be the element referred to in Article 14 (of the ISC).”

It continued:

“The current ‘high bar’ that exists in Article 14 and the fact that it appears to be designed more for decisions made as a result of an all-party hearing, rather than in the pressurized environment of a racing session, when decisions are made (as permitted under the International Sporting Code), without all parties present.”

McLaren responded to the FIA:

“We acknowledge the Stewards’ decision to deny our petition requesting a right of review.

“We do not agree with the interpretation that an FIA document, which makes a competitor aware of an objective, measurable and demonstrable error in the decision of the stewards, cannot be an admissible ‘element’ that meets all four criteria of the ISC. specified in article 14.3.

“We would like to thank the FIA ​​​​and the stewards for their timely consideration of this matter.

“We will continue to work closely with the FIA ​​to better understand how teams can constructively challenge decisions that lead to an incorrect classification of the race.”