Norris cleared by stewards after Leclerc accused him of “moving under braking” · RaceFans

Lando Norris has been cleared by the stewards following an investigation into whether he was “driving erratically” in the sprint race.

The stewards examined the McLaren driver’s conduct as he scrapped with Charles Leclerc at turn 15 on the final lap.

The incident occured as Norris came under attack by the Ferrari drivers at the end of the race. Norris complained of a loss of grip from his front tyres and was passed by Carlos Sainz Jnr at turn one as the final lap began.

Norris then came under attack from Leclerc. The Ferrari driver aimed to overtake him at turn 15 but Norris covered the inside of the corner.

Leclerc almost ran into the back of the McLaren and nearly lost control of his car. He told his team on the radio Norris was “moving under braking.”

“I did not expect him to do that,” Leclerc told Sky afterwards. “Maybe in the heat of the moment I considered that it [was] moving under braking, I’ve got to look back at the images.

“It seems to be on the limit with the way he took the line. But at the end it’s racing as well. So, he wanted to keep that position, I tried, it was a close call, we nearly crashed. But at the end nobody crashed and he finished in front.”

The stewards scrutinised footage of that incident, plus the moment at turn one where Sainz passed Norris, and data from both moments. After considering the matter the stewards rejected Leclerc’s complaint and ruled Norris’ driving was within the rules.

“There did not appear to be any significant changes of direction under braking, and the move at turn 15 was a legitimate defending move by the driver of car four [Norris]. In turn one car four locked up under braking and went wide, losing a position.

“Accordingly the stewards determine that there is no erratic driving and hence take no further action.”

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