Norris and Hulkenberg Summoned To Stewards After Collision In Free Practice Session

Friday, 03 November 2023 at 19:00

Updated at Saturday, 04 November 2023 at 00:08

McLaren and Haas F1 drivers Lando Norris and Nico Hulkenberg were summoned to the stewards after free practice session one during the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend.

Lando Norris and Nico Hulkenberg were called to see the stewards after a strange incident in the last turn 12 during the Free Practice session one.

What happened was Lando Norris, on a fast lap, approached slowly-going Nico Hulkenberg from behind into turn number 12. Hulkenberg, who just let one car pass him, overlooked the fast-approaching McLaren.

With the German driver in his racing line, Norris decided to dive down the inside to overtake the slower-going Haas. But for some reason, he went further from the apex, which Hulkenberg did not expect, and he turned into Norris.

At first glance, the incident might seem purely like Hulk's fault as he failed to move out of the way for Norris and then even turned into him in the corner.

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On the other hand, James Hinchcliffe talking on F1TV after the Free Practice session suggested it might not have been all Hulkenberg's fault.

He pointed out the way Norris went further from the apex and kept going straight as if he wanted to go close to Hulkenberg just to show him he was annoyed for being impeded on a fast lap.

Norris would of course not want to collide with the Haas driver, but Hulkenberg did not expect that to happen and unfortunately, turned into the McLaren.

Update: FIA released a document saying "no further action" action will be taken after hearing out both drivers following the incident at Interlagos Circuit. The document details:

"Just before turning into the corner, NOR kept a straight line while HUL was just about to turn into the left-hand corner."

The stewards acknowledged that Norris did not turn into the corner as he normally would but kept going in a straight line for whatever reason. The Haas might not have expected that and turned into him.

"This caused light contact between HUL’s left front wheel and NOR’s right rear wheel. Both drivers contributed to the contact and none of them is predominantly to blame for the incident