Sky Sports Channel Logo
  • F1

  • Drivers

Lando Norris News

News

  • News
  • Results
  • Previous Seasons
More from F1
  • F1 Home
  • Drivers

Lando Norris given penalty and drops from sixth to ninth on Azerbaijan GP grid for red-flag infringement

The McLaren driver drops from the third to fifth row in Baku after not pitting immediately under red flags in Q1; Watch Anthony Davidson's analysis of the incident below; Perez, Tsunoda and Alonso all move one place further up Sunday's grid for 1pm race start

By James Galloway

Last Updated: 05/06/21 6:07pm

Anthony Davidson was at the SkyPad to take a closer look at that Daniel Ricciardo crash and Lando Norris' decision to stay out during a red flag during Q1

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Anthony Davidson was at the SkyPad to take a closer look at that Daniel Ricciardo crash and Lando Norris' decision to stay out during a red flag during Q1
Anthony Davidson was at the SkyPad to take a closer look at that Daniel Ricciardo crash and Lando Norris' decision to stay out during a red flag during Q1

Lando Norris has been given a three-place grid penalty by Azerbaijan GP stewards for a red-flag infringement during qualifying.

The McLaren driver had qualified a fine sixth but will now drop down to ninth place for Sunday's race start.

Red Bull's Sergio Perez, AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda and Alpine's Fernando Alonso are each promoted a place as a result of Norris' grid demotion.

  • Qualifying report: Leclerc stuns Hamilton, Verstappen for Baku pole

Norris also had three penalty points added to his superlicence, taking him onto eight out of a maximum 12 for the last 12-month period.

Why was Norris punished?

The Englishman did not pit at the first opportunity under the red flags for Antonio Giovinazzi's crash in Q1, as is mandatory when sessions are suspended.

Norris was hurtling down Baku's long main straight when the red warning signals were displayed and, although the driver acknowledged in his post-session discussions with stewards that he initially backed off, by the time an exchange with his race engineer was completed it was too late to pull right into the pit lane.

Speaking before his penalty was applied, Lando Norris gave his reaction to the pit-lane miss after the red flag

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Speaking before his penalty was applied, Lando Norris gave his reaction to the pit-lane miss after the red flag
Speaking before his penalty was applied, Lando Norris gave his reaction to the pit-lane miss after the red flag

Stewards did take into account that Norris had little notice to pit, therefore imposed a slightly reduced penalty than normal on him.

"During the hearing the driver admitted that he lifted the throttle, braked and was committed to and able to enter the pitlane," read the stewards' verdict.

"At that moment he was not sure what to do and asked his team over the radio. Although the team ordered him immediately to enter the pits, it was too late and NOR crossed the finish line one more time.

"The stewards assume that if a red flag is not respected during qualifying, a drop of 5 grid positions is appropriate. However, if you consider that the driver only had a very short time to react due to his position on the track, a drop of 3 grid positions is sufficient as an exception."

Daniel Ricciardo finds the barriers which ends the session meaning Sebastian Vettel misses out on Q3

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Daniel Ricciardo finds the barriers which ends the session meaning Sebastian Vettel misses out on Q3
Daniel Ricciardo finds the barriers which ends the session meaning Sebastian Vettel misses out on Q3

Azerbaijan GP Grid: Revised Top 10
1) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
2) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
3) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
4) Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
5) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
6) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
7) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
8) Fernando Alonso, Alpine
9) Lando Norris, McLaren
10) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes

Also See:

  • How did Mercedes turn it around?
  • Sky F1's Sunday schedule for Baku race

After Daniel Ricciardo crashed in Q2, McLaren now start with their cars in ninth and 13th places on the grid. Rivals Ferrari, two points adrift of McLaren's third place in the Constructors' Championship, have both their cars in the top five.

Sunday's race starts at 1pm, with build-up from 11.30am, live only on Sky Sports F1.

Trending

  • 1
    Transfer Centre: Price tag lowered for Man Utd target Osimhen
  • 2
    Papers: Newcastle to rival Man Utd for Napoli defender Kim
  • 3
    Moyes hails his greatest night after ECL win | Rice: I love this club
  • 4
    Messi: I'm close to joining Miami | Barca finances ended hope of return
  • 5
    Sheikh Jassim submits fifth improved bid to buy Man Utd
  • 6
    ECL final halted after object hits Fiorentina captain | 30 arrested ahead of game
  • 7
    Real Madrid to sign Bellingham for fee up to £115m
  • 8
    Ryder Cup, McIlroy, and what next? | Golf's big-money merger explained
  • 9
    Where will Bellingham fit in at Real Madrid?
  • 10
    Hill: Hamilton's car comments a good sign | Ferrari running on one leg
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Shop
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • British South Asians in Football
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2023 Sky UK