The start of the Brazilian Grand Prix was already off to
an unconventional start courtesy of a rain-shortened Saturday and a
qualifying/race doubleheader on Sunday — and the situation only got more
chaotic on the formation lap.
Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll ended up in the gravel
on the formation lap, forcing an aborted start — and a procedural gaffe from
polesitter Lando Norris that saw him under investigation before a single lap
was turned in anger.
Multiple drivers under investigation after Brazil GP
formation lap chaos
Heavy rain at Interlagos on Saturday afternoon postponed
Formula 1 Grand Prix qualifying until Sunday morning, when damp conditions
brought out a record five red flags during three quali sessions and saw five
cars damaged in the process.
Four of the five damaged cars were repaired for the race
start, and one of those machines — the No. 18 of Lance Stroll — lost control of
his Aston Martin on the formation lap.
Stroll attempted to reverse off the tarmac and return to
the track, but ended up instead in the gravel. He had to exit his car, and the
start was aborted.
However, the aborted start caught out polesitter Lando
Norris.
The McLaren driver, as well as a handful of others including
George Russell and Yuki Tsunoda, took off when the yellow lights went out
— critically, not when the green light turned on.
Several drivers remained in static on the grid, aware that
the aborted start procedure did not allow them to take on an additional
formation lap.
Norris is now under investigation for a breach of start
procedure, facing a penalty before the race ever started. A penalty here would
be absolutely critical for the championship fight, with the gap between leader
Max Verstappen and Norris whittled away to just 44 points.
Soon after the race start, George Russell, Liam Lawson, and
Yuki Tsunoda were also noted for starting procedure infringements, and all four
were set to be investigated after the race.
After several hours of deliberation, the FIA determined that
there would be no further action for Tsunoda or Lawson.
As the two drivers on the front row, Lando Norris and George
Russell were handed €5,000 fines and a reprimand.
Per the stewards, the drivers at the front of the grid
triggered other drivers to take action.
“The FIA Formula One Race Director initiated the Aborted
Start procedure indicating that the drivers should not leave the grid,” the FIA
ruling in Norris’ case reads.
“This message was necessary as there was a car off the track
in Turn 4 (STR) that needed to be recovered. Although the signal was
appropriately given the light panel illuminated as prescribed, and the teams
notified by the messaging system, the driver left the grid and proceeded on a
lap that he assumed to be an extra formation lap.
“As the driver was on the front row of the grid this triggered following drivers to take similar action.
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