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Lando Norris furious with ‘stupid’ rule that cost McLaren star points and benefited Max Verstappen in Jeddah

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Lando Norris hit out at Formula One’s “stupid” rule allowing tyre changes under red flags after Sunday’s incident-packed Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver was one of the few who pitted under the safety car following Mick Schumacher’s crash, dropping him from sixth to 14th before the majority of the pack were able to undertake the restart on fresh tyres due to the red flag.

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were likewise caught out as Max Verstappen was handed the lead of the race, with Esteban Ocon and Norris’ teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, also bumped up the grid.

It is not the first time Norris, who finished 10th, has suffered from red flag tyre changes and the Brit believes the rule is dictated by a “TV point of view”.

Norris said: "It's happened a few times, like obviously at Monza last year, you just get a free pitstop and it ruined our race.

"Mugello I think as well ruined our race, and here the same. Of course I'm always on the bad end of it, so it probably sucks more for me than anyone, but I think it's just a very unfair rule that should be taken away.

"I think they should change it to one mandatory pit stop with two different tyre sets needed to be used, and then I think that's acceptable.

“But this just ruins everything, to be honest. You put so much effort in for it to be taken away for some stupid rule."

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