FIA explains Qatar mirror drama response and Norris penalty

The FIA has provided an in depth clarification as to why it didn’t search to take away Alex Albon’s mirror from the monitor halfway by the Qatar Grand Prix.

The F1 race in Losail was turned on its head on lap 30 when Albon’s proper mirror flew off his Williams on the start-finish straight.

It ended up in the midst of the monitor and triggered some double yellow flags initially – which proved essential after Lando Norris ignored them and was handed a 10-second stop-go penalty.

Regardless of the plain dangers of a automobile hitting the mirror later within the race, the FIA elected to not intervene with both a digital security automobile or full security automobile – and as a substitute let the race proceed.

Nonetheless, 4 laps later Valtteri Bottas struck the mirror when shifting out of the best way for the leaders, which scattered damaged bits all around the monitor.

With each Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton then struggling punctures, probably from the mirror particles, a full security automobile was known as out to lastly clear issues up.

The dealing with of occasions by new F1 race director Rui Marques has turn into a giant speaking level, and on Monday the FIA responded with an evidence about why it elected to do issues the best way it did.

In an evidence assertion, it mentioned: “Regular observe is for the security automobile to not be deployed if there’s a small quantity of particles, and off the racing line

“The in depth particles after a automobile hit the mirror and the punctures that occurred shortly after pressured the choice on a security automobile

“A VSC wouldn’t have been an answer, because the automobiles stay spread-out and there may be not ample time for a marshal to clear the particles.”

The governing physique did concede, nevertheless, that the occasions of Qatar can be checked out in additional element and that discussions would happen with groups to see if issues may be improved sooner or later.

“The FIA always evaluations its strategies and processes and can analyse additional the precise state of affairs, and talk about it with the groups, in an effort to see whether or not sooner or later a distinct plan of action must be taken,” it mentioned.

Security automobile lights failure

The mirror difficulty was not the one drama for the FIA, with there being additional confusion after the lights on the security automobile failed in the course of the restart following this drama.

The lights drawback opened the door for then race-leader Max Verstappen to be left confused about what has occurring, and that prompted an excellent late restart that left him uncovered to Lando Norris behind him.

Referencing this malfunctioning of the lights, the FIA mentioned: “All groups have been verbally suggested that the SC can be coming in, so the restart occurred within the regular trend

“Whereas the rationale for the malfunction was recognized and stuck, out of warning, the security automobile was swapped in time for its third deployment.”

Norris penalty

One different main speaking level after the race was the dimensions of the penalty handed right down to Norris for ignoring the yellow flags put out for the stranded mirror.

Whereas it was described as ‘brutal’ by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, and left McLaren asking for a review of matters, the FIA says the sanction was consistent with customary observe.

“The penalty was in accordance with the penalty pointers circulated to the groups on 19 February 2024,” it added.

“A double yellow flag infringement is taken into account a critical compromise of security, which is why such offences carry such a extreme penalty.”