Silverstone, UK — The FIA is contemplating a significant rule change after Lando Norris labeled the current regulation as “pretty stupid” following his penalty during the Austrian Grand Prix. Norris received a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits while battling Max Verstappen for the race lead, sparking a debate about the fairness and necessity of such penalties in racing situations.

During the Austrian Grand Prix, Norris locked up and ran off the track while attempting to overtake Verstappen. Although he immediately gave the position back to the Red Bull driver, he was still penalized as it was his fourth track limit infringement. This decision was met with criticism, especially since Norris had already lost time and the position in the process.

Reflecting on the incident, Norris expressed his frustration with the current rules, emphasizing the need for a more sensible approach. “I got the five-second for trying to overtake and it not going correctly,” Norris told media, including RacingNews365. “I didn’t even know I had the five-second penalty. I didn’t even know why we served the five-second penalty before we retired the car. I didn’t even know that’s what we did until after the race. That’s pretty silly, to be honest.”

He continued, “I’ve tried to do an overtake, I’ve locked up, I’ve gone off the track – just – I’ve had to then avoid the sausage kerb. But immediately I gave the position back to Max, so I’ve probably lost a second and a half in doing that. That’s a clear enough penalty. I’ve lost out in doing such a thing.”

Norris warned that such penalties could discourage drivers from taking risks and attempting overtakes, ultimately leading to less exciting races. “If you don’t want us to race and don’t want me to try ever overtake and you want a boring race, then you can have these rules,” he said. “There’s a difference between going off track and racing and gaining an advantage. It’s the gaining advantage bit which is the most important. And then there’s the going off because you’ve made a silly mistake.”

In light of Norris’s comments, the FIA is reviewing the rule. An unnamed FIA spokesperson acknowledged the concerns, stating, “We understand the frustrations expressed by Lando Norris and are actively looking into the current regulations regarding track limits and racing incidents. Our goal is to ensure fair competition while also promoting exciting racing. We are considering adjustments to better differentiate between gaining an advantage and minor mistakes made in the heat of the moment.”

As the discussion about track limits and racing penalties continues, fans and drivers alike will be watching closely to see how the FIA addresses these concerns. The potential rule change could lead to more lenient and context-aware decisions in the future, fostering a more dynamic and competitive racing environment.

The next race at Silverstone will be a crucial test for any new interpretations of the rules, with drivers hoping for clearer and fairer guidelines moving forward.