Norris and Russell fined for aborted Sao Paulo GP start mess

McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ George Russell have each been handed a €5,000 fine and a reprimand for breaching the FIA's start procedure regulations at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The pair found themselves at the center of a mix up that kicked off when Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll spun into the gravel during the formation lap, bringing the start to an abrupt halt and prompting the FIA to initiate the aborted start procedure.

This situation required all drivers to either remain on the grid or return to it in an orderly fashion, with a mandatory ten-minute delay to allow teams to reset.

However, as the aborted start message lit up on the start gantry, Norris – positioned on pole – unexpectedly launched off the grid, likely mistaking the signal as permission to proceed on an additional formation lap.

Russell, lined up directly behind him in second place, followed suit, a move that set off a ripple effect. Other drivers, including Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, also took off after seeing Norris and Russell pull away.

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Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who stayed on the grid as prescribed, watched the chaos unfold, unsure of what was happening.

The confusion ultimately led all drivers to leave the grid to join the field of cars led by Norris and Russell. Once alerted to the disorderly exodus, the FIA’s Race Director issued instructions for all cars to complete an additional lap and reassemble on the grid to restart the race in compliance with the aborted start procedure.

The incident was placed under investigation by the FIA stewards who, after hearing from representatives from McLaren and Mercedes, ruled late on Sunday evening that Norris and Russell were to be held responsible for the confusion and subsequent breach.

Tsunoda and Lawson, however, were absolved of direct responsibility, as they had simply reacted to the movement of the front-row cars ahead of them.

In their official statement, the FIA concluded that Norris and Russell had failed to adhere to the rules as outlined in the start procedures.

"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," read the stewards’ statement.

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

"At some point the Race Director, realizing that for practical reasons all cars would now need to do an extra formation lap, gave an instruction to the teams for all cars to proceed and return to the grid to follow the correct aborted start procedure.

“In the opinion of the stewards the driver precipitated the action of the drivers on the grid directly behind him."

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