Norris and Sainz given grid penalties, Stroll in the clear

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – November 12, 2020 McLaren’s Lando Norris during a press conference ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix FIA/Handout via REUTERS

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – McLaren’s Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz were handed grid penalties after Turkish Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday in a blow for the team as they battle for third place in the Formula One constructors’ standings.

McLaren are fourth, a point behind Renault and tied with Racing Point, who had Lance Stroll qualify on pole and Sergio Perez third, but ahead on podium finishes.

Stewards handed Norris a five place drop from 11th, with three penalty points, for failing to respect double yellow flag warnings in the first phase of qualifying.

Sainz, who qualified 13th, was handed a three place penalty for impeding Perez. The Spaniard had blamed the tricky conditions.

“We are all trying to warm up the tyres… I think in the wet, the stewards need to be a bit more conscious of that,” he told reporters.

“We are all struggling to stay on track and if I impeded, it’s because I’m slow – it’s not because I am trying to impede anyone.”

Canadian Stroll was also summoned by stewards for reportedly ignoring yellow flags but they decided to take no further action.

Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Ken Ferris

source: reuters.com