Why Norris was not penalised by FIA for jumpstart in Saudi Arabia

It was a remarkable moment at the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: images from all different angles seemed to clearly point to a jumpstart by Lando Norris, but the McLaren driver was not given a penalty by the FIA stewards. Here's why.

For this reason Norris received no penalty for jumpstart

Norris got away too early, only to come to a halt again immediately afterwards. He then took off along with the rest of the Formula 1 field as soon as the lights went out. George Russell, who started behind Norris, immediately reported Norris' alleged jumpstart via the Mercedes team radio. Although the stewards looked at the incident, the expected penalty did not materialise.

The FIA later clarified the decision. The governing body explained that the assessment of a jumpstart is based solely on the data from transponders on the cars. These FIA-approved and supplied devices showed that Norris did not make a jumpstart. This statement closed the case and Norris avoided a possible time penalty.

"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," the FIA said.