Russell and Norris fined, Tsunoda and Lawson escape penalty for aborted start
Following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, McLaren driver Lando Norris and Mercedes racer George Russell have been fined for the aborted start infringement while the RB duo of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda escaped any sanctions.
On the initial formation lap, Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll spun and touched the walls before driving his AMR24 into the gravel grap at the Descida do Lago left-hander. As the Canadian was unable to get himself out of the gravel trap, the original start was aborted.
Despite the signal of the aborted start, pole sitter Lando Norris left the grid for a second time, with Mercedes driver George Russell and the RB duo of Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson following him. Although the entire field left then the grid ultimately, the other drivers did so with authorisation.
The incident was investigated by the stewards, who came to the conclusion that Norris and Russell were in Breach of Article 47.1 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations. Subsequently, the two drivers were fined €5,000 and received a reprimand.
The full verdict read: "The Stewards heard from the team representative and reviewed video evidence. The FIA Formula One Race Director initiated the Aborted Start procedure indicating that the drivers should not leave the grid. This message was necessary as there was
a car off 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. At some point the Race Director realizing that for practical reasons all cars would now need to do an extra formation lap gave an instruction to the teams for all cars to proceed and return to the grid to follow the correct aborted start procedure.
"In the opinion of the stewards, the driver [Norris and Russell] precipitated the action of the drivers on the grid directly behind him."
Lawson and Tsunoda escaped any sanction as the stewards reckoned that "although the drivers breached the regulation this was influenced by the driver ahead of him and as such he was not predominately responsible for the breach. As such the stewards decide to take no further action having held the driver immediately ahead of him at fault."
