McLaren is vying for the constructors’ championship in F1. The Austin GP did not end under the checkered flag and has left a bitter aftertaste. Today, the FIA officially confirmed the appeal for a review requested by the Woking team regarding the duel in turn 12 between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, contrary to what Andrea Stella said in the post-race. The team principal had declared that the decision could not be appealed, thus considering the matter closed. Instead, the British team will present new evidence in hopes of overturning the ruling made by the race stewards in Texas.
The English driver’s overtaking took place in the wide escape road after the world champion forced the braking, “guiding” Norris off the track. This maneuver raised many eyebrows, as the Dutch driver also failed to make the corner. Specifically, the race control took into account the position of the drivers at the apex of the left turn number 12. In the post-race comments, Andrea Stella expressed the team’s disappointment over the controversial five-second penalty given to Lando.
This morning, confirmation arrived that McLaren has invoked the right to review in an attempt to assert its case. McLaren appealed to the misinterpretation of article 33.3, which states: “Drivers must make every reasonable effort to use the track at all times and may not leave it without a justifiable reason. Drivers will be judged as having left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with it, and, to avoid doubt, all white lines defining the edges of the track are considered part of the track, but curbs are not.”
“If a car leaves the track, the driver may re-enter, but this may only be done when it is safe to do so and without gaining any lasting advantage. At the absolute discretion of the Race Director, a driver may be given the opportunity to relinquish the entire advantage gained by leaving the track.” Past precedents do not offer much hope for the British F1 team. Almost always, appeals regarding decisions made during the race are rejected, as they do not involve unobserved track limits, as was the case with Aston Martin’s successful appeal, but rather a collective decision by the stewards.
F1, McLaren seeks to raise awareness with the FIA
In essence, it is highly unlikely that the International Federation will contradict itself. It is much more realistic that the FIA will intervene to clarify the rules of engagement in close battles and which maneuvers are permissible and which are not. As Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc mentioned during a media meeting on the usual Thursday, Max Verstappen’s racing style has not changed throughout the various F1 seasons in which he has participated, and his maneuvers are often borderline. However, according to the Monegasque driver, this makes the battle even more exciting.
McLaren’s action appears to be a necessary step in support of their driver, who is fighting for the world championship against Max Verstappen, even though they are aware that the chances of success for the appeal are, as mentioned, quite slim. Moreover, the potential acceptance of the papaya team’s request would not significantly change the championship landscape. The true goal is to make the FIA more aware of different judgments on maneuvers that go well beyond the acceptable line between aggression and unfairness. More than restitution, McLaren is laying the groundwork for an investment.
In this way, over the next five races, which will also include two Sprint Races, the British F1 team hopes that the governing body will evaluate the conduct of the three-time world champion more rigorously, should there be new skirmishes involving the moves of the Hasselt talent that will again be judged unscrupulously. The intent Zak Brown aims to achieve, in summary, is to ensure that racing remains fair on the track in the final stretch of the season. It is equally true that Lando Norris seems to be struggling significantly against Max Verstappen.
It appears that the Brit has yet to figure out how to best confront the Red Bull driver. The most recent example is the start of the last race, where he left a door open that the championship leader inevitably slipped through. Yet, we are talking about the same driver who fiercely defended third place in last Saturday’s Sprint Race against the assaults of Charles Leclerc. It remains to be seen if, at the central stage of the penultimate “triple header” in Mexico City, Max Verstappen’s actions will be under greater scrutiny…
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