P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris’s Q1 exit in Azerbaijan GP qualifying was made worse by McLaren by its belief that a yellow flag shown while he was on his final lap was “unnecessary”
McLaren’s Lando Norris faced disappointment in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying due to a controversial yellow flag during his final lap in Q1, which he had to abort, ultimately finishing 17th. The team believed the flag was “unnecessary” as Norris was on pace and on used tires like his teammate Piastri, who fared better. Norris encountered the yellow flag situation in marshal sectors 18 after navigating Turn 16, leading to confusion over its display and impact on his lap. McLaren expressed frustration to the FIA over the incident, highlighting the unforeseen consequences and seeking clarification on the protocol followed. Further discussions are expected between McLaren and the FIA to address the handling of similar situations in future races, emphasizing the need for consistent enforcement of regulations to avoid such costly incidents.
