The 2023 Canadian GP stirred up controversy as McLaren attributed Lando Norris’ penalty to the FIA’s new stewarding style. Despite a promising start, the British driver incurred a five-second time penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, plummeting him from P9 to P13 by the race end. Norris’s offense involved creating an excessive gap with teammate Oscar Piastri during the safety car phase, leading to adverse effects on Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon during the subsequent restart. Consequently, the 23-year-old breached the FIA International Sporting Code, which prohibits unnecessary deceleration behind the safety car.
As Lando Norris incurred a penalty aligned with the FIA’s ISC, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella speculated on a noteworthy possibility. Could this penalty reflect the FIA’s endeavour to set a new precedent, ushering in a defining era in the sport? A compelling twist in motorsports governance that has captured the attention of fans, eagerly anticipating the unfolding of this intriguing narrative.
As per the Race, Stella mentioned “We spoke to the stewards right after the race because we thought these kinds of speeds under a safety car or even a virtual safety car shouldn’t be the reason for an infringement. We understand the position of the stewards, we understand that they may want to set a precedent so there’s a kind of new way of interpreting the way you have to drive under safety car.” (an article from sportskeeda.com mentioned)
McLaren’s Triple Boost: Major Upgrades Set to Transform Racing Landscape
Get ready for a Formula 1 revolution as McLaren sets the stage for groundbreaking upgrades. Over the races in Austria, Britain, and Hungary, the Woking-based powerhouse will unleash a series of game-changing enhancements to the MCL60. With meticulous precision, McLaren’s innovations will create an entirely new car, redefining performance, and aerodynamic prowess. Brace yourself for a thrilling display of dominance as McLaren propels into uncharted territory, leaving competitors in awe.
Stella referred to the overhaul as a “major overhaul,” which will affect “pretty much every single aerodynamic part” of the vehicle. He remarked according to an article from sportskeeda.com:
“Relatively soon at the start of the season, we realized that the car needed a fundamental redesign. That’s why the upgrades will be spread over the course of a few races. It will be noticeable. We had to redesign even some parts under the bodywork. That’s also why it took some time to be in condition to deliver these upgrades. I would say it’s pretty much the entire car”.