News Summary
- Lando Norris was leading comfortably when the VSC was deployed moments after he had passed the pit entry.
- Norris said the current system can be unfair and proposed guaranteeing everyone a chance to stop or temporarily closing the pit lane.
- Max Verstappen agreed the system could potentially be improved, while Andrea Stella expects the issue to require wider regulatory discussion.
Lando Norris has called on Formula 1 to reconsider its Virtual Safety Car rules after the timing of Sunday’s intervention effectively cost him victory in the Spanish Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver had started from pole and controlled the opening stint at Madring, building a comfortable advantage over Andrea Kimi Antonelli. But Lance Stroll’s stranded Aston Martin triggered a VSC on lap 14 just after Norris had passed the pit entry.
Antonelli, Max Verstappen and several drivers behind were therefore able to stop while the field was running at reduced speed. Norris had to complete another lap and made his stop after the VSC had ended, losing considerably more time.
“I was just unlucky, I was the only one on the whole grid who doesn’t get a pitstop,” Norris told Sky Sports F1.
“So I lose 20 seconds on the whole grid, this is out of my control, it’s out of their control. It’s a rule that shouldn’t define a race.”
Norris acknowledged that Safety Car timing has always been an element of racing and that he has benefited from similar situations himself. What particularly frustrated the reigning world champion was that he felt he had executed everything required to win in Madrid.
“There’s literally nothing I could do as a driver today to do a better job. Pole, led the race. And to lose it for nothing in my control is… I don’t think how a race should be won,” he said.
Norris had taken pole by just 0.011s over Antonelli before controlling Sunday’s opening stint. Antonelli himself conceded after the race that Norris deserved the victory.
Norris believes there are several potential solutions. One would be ensuring that a VSC remains active long enough for every driver to have an opportunity to stop. Another would involve closing the pit entry during the neutralisation, except for emergencies such as a puncture.
“I think there’s a few things you could do to make it more simple and more fair for everyone. But that’s a bigger discussion,” Norris said.
The McLaren driver stressed that he was not seeking a regulation designed to benefit him personally. The same system could easily favour him at another race.
“I think everyone wants the same thing and that’s just fairness for everyone,” he said. “I have to take it on the chin. But I just hope it doesn’t happen to anyone again, because it’s just not how you should lose a race.”
Verstappen, who benefited from the VSC and finished second, sympathised with Norris. The Red Bull driver noted that he too has both won and lost races because of Safety Car timing and expects the subject to be discussed at the next drivers’ briefing.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella also stressed that race control had simply applied the existing regulations. Any attempt to change the procedure would instead require discussion through Formula 1’s regulatory process.
For Norris, the consequences in Madrid were particularly severe because Madring’s limited overtaking opportunities prevented him from recovering after the VSC. Despite having substantially more pace in the closing stages, he could not pass Verstappen and had to settle for third.
Antonelli took his eighth victory of the season and extended his championship lead to 81 points over George Russell. Norris is fourth with 186 points, 106 behind the Mercedes driver.
FAQ
What change does Lando Norris want to the Virtual Safety Car rules?
Norris suggested either keeping the VSC active long enough to give every driver an opportunity to pit or temporarily closing the pit lane, with exceptions for emergencies such as punctures.
Why did the VSC cost Norris the Spanish GP victory?
Norris had already passed the pit entry when the VSC was deployed. Antonelli and Verstappen could stop at reduced time cost, while Norris had to complete another lap and pit after green-flag racing resumed.
Does Max Verstappen support changing the VSC rules?
Verstappen said he has both benefited and lost out from the existing system, but acknowledged it could potentially be improved and expects drivers to discuss the issue at their next briefing.
