P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toto Wolff has sympathised with McLaren, following Lando Norris’ heavy Qatar Grand Prix penalty.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has questioned the “brutal” penalty given to Lando Norris and emphasized the importance of consistency from the FIA. The Qatar Grand Prix was only Rui Marques’ second event as F1 race director, putting him in the spotlight. Norris received a harsh 10-second stop/go penalty for not slowing down under yellow flags at the Lusail International Circuit, a decision Wolff finds uncertain. Both Hamilton and Norris faced penalties during the race, with a strict approach noticeable since Marques took over, a stance Wolff supports if maintained consistently. Wolff raised concerns that penalties like Norris’ could have significant implications for McLaren’s championship aspirations, potentially impacting their first constructors’ title since 1998.
