F1 News: FIA Explains Why Lando Norris Escaped Penalty For 'Jump Start' In Saudi Arabian GP
The FIA has confirmed why Lando Norris' premature movement at the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix did not result in a penalty. Despite a brief forward jolt before the race began, the FIA found that Norris's action did not trigger the official jump start detection system.
Key Takeaways:
- Lando Norris' slight movement before the official race start did not activate the FIA's jump start detection system, sparing him a penalty.
- The FIA's decision was based on data from a transponder on Norris' car, which is the sole criterion for determining a jump start.
- Past precedents in F1 have seen drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel similarly avoid penalties for minimal start line infractions.
Lining up from the sixth position on the grid, Lando Norris momentarily moved his car before the signal to start the race was officially given. This incident, which was quickly reported by George Russell to Mercedes, was expected to earn Norris a penalty. However, the FIA stewards, after reviewing the data, decided against any sanctions.
The decision hinged on the FIA's jump-start detection technology. A standard transponder fitted to each car serves as the definitive measure for such infringements. In Norris' case, his car's slight movement did not exceed the system's threshold, leading the stewards to conclude that no jump-start occurred.
The FIA's statement clarified that their decision was in line with Article 48.1 a) of the Formula One Sporting Regulations, which relies on transponder data to adjudicate jump starts. The statement from the Stewards read:
"The stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video and determined that the video appeared to show that car 4 moved before the start signal was given.
"However, the FIA approved and supplied transponder fitted on the car did not indicate a jump start.
"Article 48.1 a) of the Formula One Sporting Regulations states clearly that the judgment of whether or not there was a jump start is to be made in accordance with the transponder, which did not show a jump start. In the circumstances, we took no further action."
Norris finished the race in eighth position behind Oliver Bearman in seventh and ahead of Lewis Hamilton in ninth. Norris' McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri crossed the line in fourth position.