Norris gets three-place grid drop for F1 Azerbaijan GP

The McLaren driver was approaching the pit lane entrance at speed when Antonio Giovinazzi crashed his Alfa Romeo at Turn 15, resulting in a red flag.

Drivers are required to return to the pit lane as soon as possible when a red flag is flown but Norris continued past the pits after some confusion over team radio.

Norris asked if he should “box or continue” to which his team replied: “If you can, box,” before the Briton responded “I can’t, I’m too late.”

Following an investigation into the incident, the Baku stewards ruled Norris had breached red flag procedures and handed him a three-place grid drop.

Norris qualified sixth but will now drop to ninth for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Speaking to media directly after qualifying had ended, Norris admitted he wasn’t even aware he was being investigated.

The stewards explained that they would normally issue a five-place grid penalty for such a breach, but acknowledged that Norris did not have long to react.

Norris has also received three penalty points on his licence, taking his total for the current 12-month period up to eight.