Norris slams F1's tyre change under red flag as “worst rule ever invented”

Lando Norris has slammed Formula 1 for its ruling which allows drivers to change tyres under red flag conditions after the McLaren driver lost out at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL35M.
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL35M.
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Norris was running comfortably in the points when the Safety Car was deployed on Laꦛp 11 when Mick Schumacher crashed heavily at Turn 22.

Norris, like many others including both Mercedes drivers, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez, pit under t𒀰he Safety Car for fresh rubber.

Due to Schumacher’s car damaging the barrier, the FIA decided to red flag the race which meant those who didn’t stop - including Max Verstap🦄pen - could change tyres in the pit lane without losing any positions.

The British driver dropped to the rearꦇ of the field before finish⛄ing 10th, while McLaren teammate Daniel Ricciardo benefitted by not stopping, moving up to fifth.

“It’s possibly the worst rule ever invented by so♋meone being able to change tyres under red flag,” Norris said after the race.

It’s not the first time the rule has played a significant part in deciding the outcome of the race with Pierre Gasly making the most of it en route to h🐻is maiden F1 victory last year at Mon𒁃za.

“We said it last year already,” Norris added. “I’m not taking anything away from Pierre but with the Monza race last year, like Pierre got to change tyres for free, I don’t know, I don’t feel like it’s deserved in a way. It’s just complete luck and luck that doesn’t n⛦eed to be given to someone and th꧅at’s pretty much what it is - luck given to someone.

“It just ruined our race today. It f☂eels like you do so much just to get it all taken away. It sucks because the team did a good job. I thought the car was pretty decent. But it’s just crap, the rule ruins everything.”

Norris is hopeful other drivers and teams speak up, particularly Mercedes, who lost the lead to Verst🃏appen because of it.

“I would hope so If Max won because he just got a free pit stop, then I feel like Mercedes would complain,” he explained. “I don’t know if they would still now or not because he [H🍒amil🥂ton] won.

“So it’s just a great day for them. But I just feel like it’s such an unfair thing. Th🎶ey should still have to do their pit stop, they should be more just unlucky rather than getting lucky. Just sucks.”

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