Norris apologises to McLaren after stop/go penalty

Lando Norris was left feeling that he had “let down” McLaren after a stop/go penalty in the Qatar Grand Prix saw him drop down the order, having gone from battling for the lead to trying to make gains from the back of the field.

It had been a solid start to the race for Norris, who got the better of Mercedes’ George Russell at the start to put himself in a scrap with Max Verstappen for P1. While the Red Bull man held the position, Norris again launched a challenge later on in what proved to be an eventful race but still had to settle for second.

However, what looked to be a podium result slipped away when the Briton received a 10-second stop/go penalty for failing to slow under double waved yellow flags a little earlier on. He promptly served this and fell to the back of the pack, before recovering some positions to ultimately cross the line in 10th place.

Asked during a post-race chat with Sky Sports F1 if he felt that the punishment was harsh, Norris responded: “Honestly I don’t know what I’ve done wrong at the minute. Apparently I didn’t slow under the yellow. I’m not an idiot – if I knew there was a yellow I would have slowed down.

2024 Qatar Grand Prix: Norris drops from P2 to last after being handed 10 second stop/go penalty

“I don’t know if I’ve missed it or just been dumb. But, yeah, the rule is if you don’t slow down under a yellow that’s the penalty, so it’s a fair penalty.”

Having displayed good pace later on with the hard tyre, Norris acknowledged that there had been an “opportunity missed”, with the squad’s bid for the constructors’ championship now going down to the wire in Abu Dhabi.

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow the Qatar GP action as Verstappen wins ahead of Leclerc and Piastri

Despite this setback, Norris stated that his optimism level over whether the Woking outfit can hold off Ferrari and claim the title is “high”.

“The team gave me a great car today, so I’m thankful for the team,” the 25-year-old said. “Disappointed that I couldn’t have done a worse job than I did today and not give them the points they deserve, so I’ve made the job of the team much harder than it needs to be.

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 01: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull — Norris had challenged Verstappen for the lead earlier in the race prior to receiving a stop/go penalty

“The team are doing a great job but I’ve let them down.”

This was a sentiment that he reiterated when speaking to the media further, with the three-time race winner adding: “I didn’t finish P2, [it] doesn’t matter who I’m fighting if I get a penalty. [I’m] disappointed, and I can only apologise to the team.”

RACE START: Enjoy the race start at the Qatar GP as Verstappen snatches the lead while three cars tangle behind

McLaren will enter the weekend in Abu Dhabi with a 21-point lead over the Scuderia as they vie to win their first constructors’ title since 1998.