Lando Norris claims it was ‘unfair’ to put Carlos Sainz in P3 for Monaco restart after the Spaniard’s lap 1 ‘mistake’

Lando Norris managed a third place finish at the 2024 Monaco GP.

Lando Norris claims it was ‘unfair’ to put Carlos Sainz in P3 for Monaco restart after the Spaniard’s lap 1 ‘mistake’

Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz (Via: Imago)

Lando Norris, the McLaren F1 driver, had a very straightforward outing at the 2024 Monaco GP. Starting for P4 he finished in the same position, but what did not sit well with him was the way the race officials allowed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to restart the race from third place.

When the lights went out at the Monaco street circuit, Carlos Sainz was tussling with Oscar Piastri and it was at this moment, the former punctured his left front tire. As a result, while going into a certain turn he went straight on and ended up plumb last.

YouTube video

However, Sainz got a lifeline courtesy of Kevin Magnussen and Sergio Perez‘s shunt that brought the Red flags. When all the cars were in the pits, the FIA announced that the race would be restarted in the original order. A lot was made of this decision and while talking about it recently, Norris let out his frustration.

Carlos was really lucky because he was last and it was his own fault. If you look at it bluntly, it's obviously frustrating and unfair because someone makes a mistake - but because a certain number of cars, or whatever the rule is, don't cross the line before the red flag comes out ... blah, blah, blah, so he can undo his mistake and get a free pit stop. It's just unfair.
Lando Norris said in an interview with Motorsport-Total

Andrea Stella backs FIA’s ruling for the Monaco GP restart

While Lando Norris has deemed pushing Sainz to P3 ahead of the Monaco restart as unfair, the former’s team boss, Andrea Stella does not agree. The Italian feels the FIA made the best decision possible for the standing restart.

Andrea Stella
Andrea Stella (via IMAGO)

Stella genuinely feels that in regard to the F1 rules, the right thing was done!

I think what the FIA ​​did was the best they could have done. It was in line with precedent that we take the second safety car line when no sector time is available.
Andrea Stella said in an interview with Motorsport-Total

The 2024 Monaco GP was a memorable event for Ferrari and from McLaren’s perspective, the event was not too bad either. The outfit managed a strong second and fourth-place finish and thus, the upcoming races could really propel the team into the Championship fight if they keep on performing at a high level. The Woking-based team has so far amassed 184 points in the constructors standings.

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