McLaren Are Launching Appeal Against United States Grand Prix Penalty

McLaren has decided to appeal the five-second penalty imposed on driver Lando Norris during the United States Grand Prix. The penalty, which dropped Norris from a third-place finish to fourth, came after a contentious overtake involving Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

McLaren is determined to challenge what they see as inconsistent penalty enforcement by the FIA and aim to recapture crucial championship points for both their driver and the Constructors’ standings.

The incident in question unfolded during the closing laps of the race, with Norris attempting to pass Verstappen at Turn 12 of the Circuit of the Americas.

As Norris made his attempt on the outside line, he was forced off the track, not dissimilar to Verstappen’s own off-track moment earlier in the race. Despite crossing the finish line in a commendable third position, the penalty relegated him, allowing his Red Bull rival to take the podium.

For Norris, the penalty allowed Verstappen to extend his lead in the drivers’ championship to 57 points ahead of the Papaya driver, widening the margin with only five more races remaining in the season. McLaren hopes that overturning the penalty gives them the chance to offer their driver a potential championship win. This would narrow Verstappen’s lead to 51 points.

The appeal itself was a somewhat unexpected eleventh-hour decision. Team Principal Andrea Stella earlier admitted skepticism about the potential for a successful appeal.

“I don’t think new and relevant evidence exists,” he conceded via Sports Illustrated, adding, “Because the only evidence we have used so far to assess our interpretation, which is in disagreement with the stewards, is already available.”

The FIA’s Article 14 mandates the presentation of new, significant information to justify a revised adjudication. Yet, McLaren’s decision to petition within the 96-hour window post-race proves a change of mind.

Controversy over the FIA’s track limit penalties at the United States Grand Prix has spotlighted alleged inconsistencies in rule enforcement. Not just McLaren but other figures in the paddock, such as Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, have criticized these recurring inconsistencies. This echoes previous debates, like those following Sebastian Vettel’s 2019 Canadian Grand Prix penalty and Carlos Sainz’s situation in Australia in 2023, where similar enforcement disparities were hot topics.

Adding to the story, Lewis Hamilton has shown an indirect endorsement of Norris, adding that there is a call for “adjustments to the sport’s overtaking guidelines,” addressing the need for clearer, more consistent regulations.

Looking ahead, the right of review hearing marks the first major step in McLaren’s appeal process, slated to happen ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix in Mexico City.