The heart of the pulsating drama of the Canadian Grand Prix unfurled an unusual tale. Amid roaring engines and strategic pit-stops, a peculiar penalty hit Lando Norris of McLaren, triggering a chain of events that made the F1 fandom sit up and take notice.

The race saw the McLaren prodigy receive a five-second penalty for what the stewards deemed ‘unsportsmanlike behavior’. Norris, keeping his distance from his teammate Oscar Piastri during a safety car phase, was allegedly slowing down to allow a double pit stop. The stewards claimed that the maneuver was a deliberate bid to hinder opponents behind him.

McLaren, however, was far from pleased. Doubting the FIA’s rationale behind this unexpected penalty, the team decided to practice a rarely used ‘right of review’ under Article 14.1.1 of the FIA International Sporting Code. This move seeks a review of the penalty in light of evidence not previously available to the FIA. “In Canada, we were surprised by the penalty and uncertain as to the rationale behind the decision,” the team announced, as per Motorsport-Total.

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Following a thorough review, which included a deep dive into precedents, McLaren decided to submit a ‘right to review’ to the FIA, expressing faith in the organization’s decision-making capabilities. Only if wasn’t for the FIA to bring up the past with a striking example.

A Ghost from the Past: The Fernando Alonso Connection

The Norris penalty stirs memories of an 18-year-old incident involving none other than Fernando Alonso. Back in 2005, during the Chinese Grand Prix, Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella intentionally slowed down to create a gap for his teammate, race leader Fernando Alonso. The deliberate delay allowed Renault to service Alonso before Fisichella, a tactic that earned the latter a drive-through penalty.

This historical precedent, it appears, was used to justify Norris’s penalty. However, McLaren continues to question the FIA’s decision, insisting that there are clear examples of similar maneuvers that did not result in penalties. Despite the controversy, the team remains committed to working with the FIA in a constructive and cooperative manner, awaiting the outcome of the review process.

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While the motorsport world eagerly awaits the resolution of this gripping saga, McLaren’s audacious challenge to the FIA’s decision has undoubtedly added another layer of intrigue to the thrilling narrative of Formula 1. As the dust settles and the engines rev up for the next race, one thing remains certain – the allure of Formula 1 is not confined to the racetrack alone.