Why Norris was harshly punished by Qatar stewards

Lando Norris appeared locked on for a podium finish at the Qatar Grand Prix before being issued a 10-second stop-and-go time penalty.

Norris was deemed guilty of not lifting as he passed through double-waved yellow flags along the start-finish straight.

Race leader Max Verstappen immediately noted over team radio that Norris appeared to gain on him through the zone and suspected his rival did not slow down, which is mandated by the rules.

Shortly before the end of the race, the F1 stewards issued Norris with the penalty - the harshest it has in its arsenal bar a total disqualification.

Norris dropped to the back of the field but managed to recover to 10th place with the fastest lap to secure two points for McLaren.

The FIA has explained why it opted to issue Norris the penalty. 

In its clarification, it outlined;

• The penalty was in accordance with the penalty guidelines circulated to the teams on 19 February 2024
• A double yellow flag infringement is considered a serious compromise of safety, which is why such offences carry such a severe penalty.

There is precedent for drivers being issued a 10-second stop-and-go penalty in the past.

At the 2017 Belgian Grand, Kimi Raikkonen was issued the punishment for failing to slow for double-waved yellows.

In Austria during the 2021 season, Nikita Mazepin and Nicholas were also dealt the same penalty for the aforementioned infringement.

Norris did not protest his penalty after the race and instead took aim at his own actions, with Ferrari heavily closing the gap in the constructors' championship ahead of the Abu Dhabi finale this weekend.