The FIA has revised its race director’s notes after a close encounter between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris during the second practice session (FP2) at the Austrian Grand Prix held at the Red Bull Ring. The near collision occurred when Norris approached Verstappen at high speed as Verstappen was on a slower lap along the straight linking Turns 1 and 3 on Friday.
During this incident, Verstappen was positioned on the left side of the track, while Norris squeezed through a tight gap between Verstappen’s car and the edge of the circuit. Verstappen’s surprise was evident over the team radio when he exclaimed,
“What the hell? Just drives on the left.”
—Max Verstappen, Driver
FIA’s Role and Response to the Austrian Incident
The FIA, serving as Formula 1’s regulatory authority, oversees rules enforcement and race safety. Although the stewards opted not to investigate the incident immediately, FIA race director Rui Marques updated the event guidelines on Saturday to address this safety concern.
The newly clarified rule now instructs drivers to distinctly move to the far right-hand side of the track when on slow laps and yielding to faster cars between Turns 1 and 3 during qualifying sessions. This adjustment aims to prevent similar risky situations in the future, with the updated note stating:
“Additionally, during Qualifying, drivers making way for faster cars between Turn 1 and Turn 3 must clearly move to the far right hand side of the track.”
—Rui Marques, FIA Race Director
Context on Driver Performances and Season Standings at the Austrian Grand Prix
Lando Norris entered qualifying at Spielberg on the back of strong showings in practice. After sitting out FP1, Norris returned in FP2 to lead the timesheets. He furthered his advantage in FP3, clocking a lap 0.118 seconds faster than his McLaren team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri. Verstappen was third fastest, trailing Norris by 0.210 seconds.
Oscar Piastri holds a 22-point lead in the drivers’ championship after winning five of the ten races so far this season. Norris, meanwhile, has taken victories in Australia and Monaco. Other race winners this season include Max Verstappen in Japan and Emilia Romagna, and George Russell in Canada.
