Lando Norris has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for a red flag infringement during qualifying.
As a consequence, Norris will start Sunday’s race from ninth, with Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda and Fernando Alonso moving up one spot each.
During a red flag period in Q1, Norris failed to return to the pit lane, and instead carried on for an extra lap.
The Stewards explained that Norris “was just on the long start-finish-straight when red flags were displayed – consequently, red lights were flashing on a panel on the left guardrail and on the car’s dashboard.
“During the hearing the driver admitted that he lifted the throttle, braked and was committed to and able to enter the pitlane. At that moment he was not sure what to do and asked his team over the radio.
“Although the team ordered him immediately to enter the pits, it was too late and Norris crossed the finish line one more time.
“The Stewards assume that if a red flag is not respected during qualifying, a drop of five grid positions is appropriate. However, if you consider that the driver only had a very short time to react due to his position on the track, a drop of three grid positions is sufficient as an exception.”
Norris also picked up three penalty points on his super licence, which brings him up to eight in the last 12 months.
