Brazilian GP start confusion leads to front row penalties

Lando Norris and George Russell have been hit with financial penalties and reprimands following their roles in the chaotic start procedure at Formula 1's Brazilian Grand Prix, where both drivers failed to follow correct protocols during an aborted start sequence.

Start chaos unfolds

The drama began when Lance Stroll's Aston Martin spun into the gravel at Turn 4 during the formation lap, necessitating an aborted start.

Despite clear signals on the start gantry indicating the procedure, polesitter Norris initiated an unauthorized move from his grid position, triggering a chain reaction among following drivers.

"Although the signal was appropriately given the light panel illuminated as prescribed, and the teams notified by the messaging system, the driver left the grid and proceeded on a lap that he assumed to be an extra formation lap,"

stated the stewards in their post-race verdict.

Ripple effect through the grid

The confusion spread rapidly through the field as Russell, starting from second position, followed Norris's lead.

This prompted similar moves from RB drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, while others, including eventual race winner Max Verstappen, initially remained stationary as per regulations.

Stewards' decision

Following a post-race investigation where all teams involved were heard, the FIA stewards determined that as front-row starters, Norris and Russell bore primary responsibility for the incident.

Each driver received a €5,000 fine alongside a formal reprimand for their actions.

The stewards noted that their positions at the front of the grid made their actions particularly significant:

"As the driver was on the front row of the grid this triggered following drivers to take similar action."

Tsunoda and Lawson escaped penalties, with officials determining they were "not predominately responsible for the breach" as they merely reacted to the cars ahead.

Race control intervention

The situation ultimately required Race Control to adapt, issuing instructions for all cars to complete an extra formation lap before returning to the grid to properly execute the aborted start procedure.

This pragmatic solution helped restore order to what had become an increasingly confused situation on the Interlagos circuit.

The incident adds another chapter to what proved to be an eventful Brazilian Grand Prix, where proper adherence to start procedures proved crucial in maintaining orderly race operations.