Formula 1 Qatar GP
Why Hamilton's Losail and Norris's Jeddah false starts were treated differently
There is sound reasoning behind why Hamilton was penalised for a false start in Qatar when Norris was cleared of any wrongdoing earlier in the season
Ewan Gale
Published: Dec 4, 2024, 3:15 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, Valtteri Bottas, KICK Sauber C44, the remainder of the field
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton was penalised at the Qatar Grand Prix for a false start having moved - and then stopped - before the lights went out to begin the race.
The Mercedes driver picked up his first penalty of a trying race when he nudged forward early, though his loss of momentum as he tried to correct the error saw him lose spots off the line.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton was downcast after the race when holding his hands up for the error, as well as his later penalty for speeding in the pits, saying: "It could have been worse, but I finished and it's over.
"That was me at the start. And then the puncture was really unfortunate. And the pitlane, that was me as well. I'll do my best, but I'll get back up tomorrow and give it another shot."
But the consistency of penalty application had arisen on social media amid the debate around the FIA's decision-making at the Losail International Circuit, with some pointing to Lando Norris's lack of punishment for a similar misjudgement at the start at this year's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
So why was Hamilton punished and Norris wasn't?
What did Norris do?
At the second round in Jeddah, Norris did almost the exact same thing as Hamilton had done in nudging forward in his grid box before the lights extinguished, before stopping and then getting going with a loss of momentum.
The 'false start' was noted by Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate George Russell, who was straight onto his team radio to call "false start Norris" as he breezed by the McLaren.
But it transpired that Norris had failed to trigger the FIA transponder at the start, meaning that because of the absence of an alert from the sensor, he was spared a penalty.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01, the remainder of the field at the start
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
The stewards's report at the event read: "The Stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video and determined that the video appeared to show that Car 4 moved before the start signal was given.
"However, the FIA-approved and supplied transponder fitted on the car did not indicate a jump start. Article 48.1 a) of the Formula One Sporting Regulations states clearly that the judgment of whether or not there was a jump start is to be made in accordance with the transponder, which did not show a jump start. In the circumstances, we took no further action."
What was different for Hamilton?
As the stewards's report states from the past weekend: "The FIA transponder indicated a false start. This was confirmed by examination of the video evidence from the on-board camera of Car 44. As the start of Car 44 was only very slightly ahead of the start signal, the minimum penalty is applied."
The fact the transponder was triggered is the first point of difference between the two incidents, even though they look near-identical. But in truth, Hamilton was more likely to be penalised anyway, given a major change to the regulations following discussions at the F1 Commission meeting held between the Chinese and Australian Grands Prix.
Read Also:
Formula 1Formula 1 tightens up jump start rules
Formula 1Hamilton: Disastrous Qatar F1 race “could have been worse”
Formula 1Ferrari "not worried at all" over Hamilton's not fast anymore remarks
Confusion over Norris's non-penalty, given it was obvious to the eye that there was a false start, led to a change in the wording of the regulations, with the sentence that determined any jumps could be found only by the transponder being triggered removed from the rulebook.
A revision to Article 48.1 a) of the Sporting Regulations instead states than an offence will be deemed to have taken place if a driver is judged to have: "moved after the four (4) second light is illuminated and before the start signal is given by extinguishing all red lights."
Therefore, regardless of Hamilton's transponder being triggered on Sunday, the Briton would have been punished under the revised regulation anyway.
This was no inconsistency from the FIA or the race stewards, but rather all parties learning from a confusing situation and putting things right.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Arthur Leclerc to join brother Charles at Ferrari for Abu Dhabi FP1
Next article Why Zandvoort is giving up on F1 before Verstappen
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Ewan Gale
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Sergio Perez praises Colton Herta impact - but has no say over 2027 Cadillac F1 team-mate choice
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Sergio Perez praises Colton Herta impact - but has no say over 2027 Cadillac F1 team-mate choice
Max Verstappen jokes about Daniel Ricciardo's Le Mans ambition: "He's a smart man picking me!"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Max Verstappen jokes about Daniel Ricciardo's Le Mans ambition: "He's a smart man picking me!"
More from
Lando Norris
F1 Brazilian GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
F1 Brazilian GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
McLaren’s upgrade is "a pleasant surprise" – but will it stay on the car in Brazil?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
McLaren’s upgrade is "a pleasant surprise" – but will it stay on the car in Brazil?
Latest news
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
21 min
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Max Verstappen "needs to understand what happened" after "night and day" F1 comeback in Brazilian GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
22 min
Max Verstappen "needs to understand what happened" after "night and day" F1 comeback in Brazilian GP
LIVE: NASCAR Cup season finale at Homestead lap-by-lap updates
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
48 min
LIVE: NASCAR Cup season finale at Homestead lap-by-lap updates
Kyle Larson wins 2026 NASCAR Cup championship with Stage 1 clinch at Homestead
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
53 min
Kyle Larson wins 2026 NASCAR Cup championship with Stage 1 clinch at Homestead
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe