Lando Norris avoided sanctions for overtaking outside the track Yuki Tsunoda at the title-deciding Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix because the stewards felt he had been “forced to retire”.
As expected, Red Bull extended Tsunoda's first period as much as possible to allow him to potentially interfere McLaren cars after the first pit stops with a teammate Max Verstappen still fighting for the title.
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As Norris caught up with Tsunoda, the Japanese driver was weaving down the straight between Turns 5 and 6, trying to keep the McLaren from passing. Norris still succeeded, although in doing so he drove all four wheels over the white line on the left side of the track.
Both drivers were investigated – Tsunoda for defending with more than one change of direction, Norris for leaving the track and taking advantage – but although the Red Bull driver received a five-second penalty, Norris was withdrawn by the stewards due to Tsunoda's erratic driving.
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“The driver of Car 4 overtook Car 22, who had gone off the track,” the stewards' report states, “but this was because the driver of Car 22 made several moves to defend his position from Car 4. If Car 22 had not made these moves, Car 4 would have overtaken him without leaving the track, but went off the track to avoid contact with Car 22.
Lando Norris, McLaren, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Lando Norris, McLaren, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
“In addition, the driving standards guidelines stipulate that if a vehicle is 'forced out' (which is essentially what happened here), it is not considered to have left the roadway.
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“Although the overtaking was technically in violation of the route, we take the decision, given the above, to take no further action.”
Norris finished third – exactly what he needed to claim his first world title against Verstappen and his McLaren teammate. Oscar Piastri.
The hypothetical five-second penalty probably wouldn't have changed the outcome of the title race anyway, as Norris was seven seconds behind fourth place. Charles Leclerc under the checkered flag.
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