Lando Norris has labelled Components One’s rule about permitting drivers to alter tyres throughout a purple flag stoppage as “the worst rule ever invented by somebody.”
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix featured two stoppages resulting from crashes. The primary was controversial on the time, as Max Verstappen stayed out throughout a Security Automotive interval whereas the Mercedes drivers pitted from first and second.
When the race was red-flagged a few laps later Verstappen was successfully given a free pit-stop — which means he successfully jumped the Mercedes drivers and inherited the lead with out stopping at racing pace.
Though it gained much less consideration on the time, Norris misplaced out even worse than the McLaren drivers, having pitted from sixth place underneath the Security Automotive however sliding right down to 14th as soon as others took benefit of the free change.
“It is probably the worst rule ever invented by somebody having the ability to change tyres underneath purple flag,” Norris mentioned after the race.
There was an identical state of affairs finally 12 months’s Italian Grand Prix, which helped Pierre Gasly to his shock victory.
“We mentioned it final 12 months already. I am not taking something away from Pierre however with the Monza race final 12 months, like Pierre obtained to alter tyres totally free.
“I do not know, I do not really feel prefer it’s deserved in a method. It is simply full luck and luck that does not must be given to somebody and that is just about what it’s — luck given to somebody.
“It simply ruined our race. It feels such as you achieve this a lot simply to get all of it taken away. It sucks as a result of the crew did an excellent job. I assumed the automotive was fairly first rate. Nevertheless it’s simply crap, the rule ruins all the pieces.”
When requested if different drivers shared his considerations, Norris mentioned: “I’d hope so. If Max received as a result of he simply obtained a free pit cease, then I really feel like Mercedes would complain.
“I do not know if they’d nonetheless now or not as a result of he [Hamilton] received. So it is only a nice day for them. However I simply really feel prefer it’s such an unfair factor. They need to nonetheless should do their pit cease, they need to be extra simply unfortunate somewhat than getting fortunate. Simply sucks.”