Debate | Norris was punished far too harshly by the FIA in Qatar

The FIA handed out hefty penalties at the Qatar Grand Prix. Lando Norris received one of them for ignoring the double yellow flags on the main straight during the race. It was deemed that the McLaren driver did not lift despite the double waved yellows. It landed the McLaren driver a stop-and-go penalty of 10 seconds. Was this penalty too harsh?

Norris was not the only driver to be punished in Qatar:

It was not only Norris who paid a hefty price for mistakes during the Qatar Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton also had to suffer. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion was given a five-second penalty for his false start, as well as speeding in the pit lane, leading to a drive-through penalty. Lance Stroll, Liam Lawson, Alexander Albon and George Russell also were given penalties.

Norris' penalty cost him dearly; by breaking the rule and suffering the consequences, he finished P10. He still managed to achieve the fastest race lap, though, therefore taking two points with him from the race in Qatar. In addition to the stop-and-go penalty, Norris also had to swallow three penalty points.

Debate: Lando Norris was punished too harshly for his mistake at the Qatar Grand Prix.

This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon