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

Norris was running comfortably in the points when the Safety Car was deployed on Lap 11 when Mick Schumacher crashed heavily at Turn 22.

Norris, like many others including both Mercedes drivers, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez, pit under the 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 Verstappen - could change tyres in the pit lane without losing any positions.

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

“It’s possibly the worst rule ever invented by someone 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 his maiden F1 victory last year at Monza.

“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 need to be given to someone and that’s pretty much what it is - luck given to someone.

“It just ruined our race today. It feels 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 Verstappen 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 [Hamilton] won.

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