FIA explains Qatar mirror drama response and Norris penalty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In a proof assertion, it mentioned: “Regular follow is for the protection automotive to not be deployed if there’s a small quantity of particles, and off the racing line

“The intensive particles after a automotive hit the mirror and the punctures that occurred shortly after pressured the choice on a security automotive

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

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

“The FIA consistently opinions its strategies and processes and can analyse additional the particular state of affairs, and focus on it with the groups, as a way to see whether or not sooner or later a special plan of action must be taken,” it mentioned.

Security automotive lights failure

The mirror subject was not the one drama for the FIA, with there being additional confusion after the lights on the protection automotive failed through the restart following this drama.

The lights downside opened the door for then-race-leader Max Verstappen to be a bit confused about what has taking place, 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 came about within the regular trend

“Whereas the rationale for the malfunction was recognized and glued, out of warning, the protection automotive 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 all the way 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 evaluation of issues, the FIA says the sanction was according to normal follow.

“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 severe compromise of security, which is why such offences carry such a extreme penalty.”

Images from Qatar GP Race