Why the FIA ​​sanctioned Hamilton for false start and not Norris

The seven-time champion received a penalty in the Qatar Grand Prix for a false start after moving before the lights went out. Lewis Hamilton He received his first punishment in a complicated event, although it caused him to lose many positions at the start, and after seeing the checkered flag he seemed dejected while admitting his mistake at the start and going over the limit of speed in the pit lane shortly after.

“It could have been worse, but I finished and it’s over,” he said. “It was me at first, then the puncture happened, which is a shame. I'll do my best, but tomorrow I'll get up and try again.”

Everything that happened with the FIA ​​at the Qatar Grand Prix:

However, the consistency of the application of sanctions has sparked debate around the FIA's decision-making process, as some have pointed out that Lando Norris He was not punished for anything similar upon release Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Why was one sanctioned and not the other?

What did Lando Norris do?

At the second meeting of the year, Lando Norris did exactly the same thing as Lewis Hamilton by overtaking his starting position before the lights went out.then stop then start again with a loss of momentum. The “false start” saw her George Russellwho went straight to his team radio to report what had happened.

Nevertheless, It turned out that the McLaren driver had not activated the FIA ​​transponder at the startthus, by not receiving any alerts from the sensor, it was exempt from the penalty.

He statement of the commissioners of the event said: “The stewards reviewed the positioning/gearing system data, video and determined that the video appeared to show Car 4 moving before the start signal was given. However, the transponder homologated and supplied by the FIA, installed in the car, did not indicate that the start had taken place”.

“Article 48.1 a) of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations clearly states that the decision of a false start or not must be made based on the transponder, which did not indicate a false start. In these circumstances, we do not “We have taken no further action,” the international federation said.

What was different for Lewis Hamilton?

As stated statement of the commissioners: “The FIA ​​transponder indicated a false start. This was confirmed by review of the video evidence from the on-board camera of car 44. As the start of car 44 was only very slightly ahead of the signal for exit, the minimum sanction is “applied”.

The fact that the transponder was activated is the first point of reference between the two incidents, even though they appear almost identical. However, in reality, Lewis Hamilton was more likely to be penalized, given the significant change in regulations following discussions at Formula 1 commission meeting held between the Chinese and Australian Grands Prix.

The confusion over not penalizing Lando Norris, given that it was obvious at a glance that a false start had occurred, leads to a change in the wording of the regulationwith the deletion of the sentence which determined that any jump could only be detected by activating the transponder. An amendment to Article 48.1(a) states that an infraction will be considered to have occurred if a driver is found to be “in motion after the four (4) second light is on and before the signal is given” to the exit, turning everything off.” red lights.”

Therefore, whether or not Lewis Hamilton's transponder was activated on Sunday, the Briton would have received the penalty anyway under the rule change. This was not an inconsistency on the part of the FIA ​​or the stewards, but rather that all parties were learning from a confusing situation.

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