Mclaren driver Lando Norris has suggested that Lance Stroll didn’t deserve a podium at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, as he was essentially handed a free pitstop due to fortuitous circumstances.
Stroll was the only driver to have not made a pitstop when the race was red flagged due to Charles Leclerc crashing his Ferrari at the Parabolica.
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And, as is allowed under the regulations, Racing Point changed Stroll’s tyres while the race was red flagged, so he didn’t have to make the usually mandatory pitstop during the race.
“The only reason I think I was not on the podium today was Stroll benefitted from a free pitstop,” Norris said.
“It is a stupid rule. They just get it for free and they don’t deserve it, in many ways.
“I’m still proud [of finishing in fourth position]. And the only way I would have finished in P2 was if I qualified ahead [of teammate Carlos Sainz, who finished the race in second position] on Saturday.”
Elaborating on his thoughts about teams being able to change tyres under red flag conditions, Norris said: “I think it should be taken out. I think we have the two examples. We’ve got Gasly who boxed just before [the Safety Car], he was ahead, the race gets red flagged, and that’s fair.
“You can’t do anything about that. But for someone who just hasn’t boxed [Stroll] they have just gained 24 seconds for doing nothing.
“He should still have to pit. You can get lucky doing what Pierre did but I think that’s still just fair play,” he added.
“But not having to box and not having to use that mandatory pit stop is a thing that I don’t think is right.”
The action-packed 2020 Italian Grand Prix saw Pierre Gasly record his first Formula One victory, while the Mercedes team had a poor showing and neither Ferrari finished the constructor’s home race.
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