Stewards explain why Norris avoided penalty for Abu Dhabi overtake on Tsunoda

The stewards for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix clarified that Lando Norris was not penalized for his overtake on Yuki Tsunoda because the McLaren driver was forced off the track by his rival's defensive maneuvers. Tsunoda was instead handed a five-second penalty for weaving on the straight, a decision that ultimately secured Norris's third-place finish and his 2025 Drivers' World Championship.

Why it matters:

The stewards' explanation provides critical insight into a key moment that could have altered the championship outcome. With Norris finishing just seven seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, a penalty for the overtake would have cost him crucial points and potentially the title. The ruling underscores how defensive driving rules are applied in high-stakes, final-lap battles.

The details:

The incident occurred as Norris attempted a late-race pass on Tsunoda for position. Stewards reviewed the footage and telemetry before issuing their verdict.

• The Overtake: Norris made an aggressive move down the straight, with his car ending up beyond the white lines at the track's edge during the pass.
• The Defense: Tsunoda was judged to have made "multiple moves" while defending his position against Norris.
• The Key Determination: Steards ruled that "Had Car 22 [Tsunoda] not made those moves, Car 4 [Norris] would have overtaken it without going off track but moved off track to avoid contact." This classified Norris as being "forced off" the circuit.
• The Guideline: F1's Driving Standards Guidelines state that a car forced off the track is not considered to have exceeded track limits. Therefore, while the pass was technically completed off the track, no further action was taken against Norris.

The big picture:

This decision capped a remarkable comeback season for Norris, who seized the championship lead after the summer break and held off a fierce challenge from Max Verstappen. The stewards' call highlights the fine margins in Formula 1, where championship destinies can hinge on split-second judgments and the interpretation of racing rules. It also reaffirms the principle that a driver cannot defend by moving multiple times or forcing a pursuing car off the racing line.