The FIA have responded to criticism they received for their handling of the F1 Qatar Grand Prix, outlining that it’s “normꦉal practice” for the Safety Car not to be deployed due to debris.

Sunday’s race at the Lusail International Circuit was tu𝓡rned on its head 𝄹due to a wing mirror from Alex Albon’s Williams.

The mirror was ejected ⛦onto the startꩵ-finish straight - but off the racing line.

Several laps later, Sauber’s 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Valtteri Bottas ran over it, scattering debris across the circuiꦗt.

It wasn’t until 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Lewis Hamilton and 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Carlos Sainz picked up punctures that theꦰ Safety Car was ultimately deployed to clear the debris. 

While Hamilton and Mercedes are unsure the debris was the cause of the punctures, the delay of the Safety Car had a significant impact on ꧅the race.

On ꦜMonday, the FIA explained they followed their unusual procedures and that a Virtual Safety Car would not have been a solution.

The FIA noted: “Normal practice is for the safetℱy car not to be deployed if there is a small amount of debris, and off the racing line.

“The extensive debris after a car hit𒁏 the mirror and the punctures that 🌺occurred shortly after forced the decision on a safety car.

“A VSC would not have been a solution, as the cars remain spread-out and there is not 🌱sufficient time for a marshal to clear the debris.

“The FIA constantly reviews its methods and processes and will analyse further the specific scenario, and discuss it with the teams, in order to see whether in t꧟he future a different course of action needs to bꦕe taken.”

Lando Norris’ hefty penalty

Another point of contention for the FIA and stewards was 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Lando Norris’ 10-second stop-go penalty.

The McLaren d📖river was handed the penalty for failing to slow down under double-waved yellow flags.

A 10-second stop-go penalty - besides from an outright disqualification - is the harshest penalty that can be given by the stꦅewards.

Due to the timing of the Safety Car, it dropped Norris to the back of the field once it was served, before recovering to finish 1🎀0th.

The FIA explained that the penalty Norris received w🌺as in line “with the penalty guidilnes” given to the teams in February 2024.

Additionally, they noted Norris’ offence was a “serious com✃promise of safety” thus the harsh penalty.

Since 2014, a 10-second stop-go penalty was handed out on two previous occasions for the same off💙ence.

Nikita Mazepin and Nicholas Latifi rece⭕ive✅d the same penalty at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix for ignoring double-waved yellows.

Similarly,ꦑ the same for Kimi Raikkone🎃n at the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix.

Safety Car lights

The FIA also confirmed that the Safety Car lights had ꦜmalfunctioned during the second period.

The issue was discussed between 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Max Verstappen, 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Charles Leclerc and 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Oscar Piastri in the podium cooldown room.

The FIA explained: “During the 2🤡nd safety car period, the lights malfunctioned.

“All teams were verbally aℱdvised that th🌳e SC would be coming in, so the re-start took place in the normal fashion.

“While the reason for the malfunction was identified and fixed, out of caution, the safety car was swapped in time for itsꦍ 3rd deployment.”