Angry Stella calls stewards decision 'inappropriate' on Norris' penalty
F1 News
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was not happy with the penalty Lando Norris received by the stewards, after he overtook Max Verstappen on Lap 52 leaving the circuit. The Italian believes the penalty was "inappropriate", he told Sky Sports.
Following the Grand Prix, the McLaren team principal was not happy with the FIA stewards. Lando Norris eventually overtook Max Verstappen after a hard-fought battle on Lap 52, however, he left the track in the process. After the penalty he received was applied, Norris finished behind his rival.
"My view is that the way the stewards interfered with the beautiful piece of motorsport was inappropriate because both cars went off track, so both cars gained an advantage," Stella began.
"It's a shame because it cost us a podium. It cost us a race where we stayed patient after we were pushed off in the first lap. The corner we accepted it. Having said very clearly our position, this kind of decision by the stewards cannot be appealed. For us the chapter is now closed and we move on to the next race," he continued.
Why didn't Norris give the position back?
While opinions may differ on the penalty, according to the team principal, they believed there was no reason for Norris to give the position back. "We double checked that both cars went off track. So for us there was no doubt that the manoeuvre was correct," a frustrated Stella concluded.
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