“The stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video and determined that the video appeared to show that Car 4 moved before the start signal was given,” their report began.
“However, the FIA approved and supplied transponder fitted on the car did not indicate a jump start.
“Article 48.1 a) of the Formula One Sporting Regulations states clearly that the judgment of whether or not there was a jump start is to be made in accordance with the transponder, which did not show a jump start. In the circumstances, we took no further action
If he wasn’t out of the box before it starts and the transponder didn’t fire, does it matter if he moved a little? It worked out against him too since he had to re-start
Yeah, his bad start was punishment enough in this instance.
That is not how the sport works though. Magnussen also had floor damage from his collision with Albon which fucked his race but he still got a penalty for his transgression.
These two incidents have no connection whatsoever, don’t compare them. The rules say that the transponder is the source of truth, and this is how this sport works.
I was responding to this
But now people can try and abuse this to start rolling just before the lights go out while staying within the box. If timed well or controlled well, this could give a massive advantage at the start.
If there’s a problem, the FIA will change the rules. Why some people are so adamant on inventing problems that don’t exist lol. Norris didn’t get any advantage. On the contrary, he had to abandon the start and start again later than everyone around him.
This is not an excuse to ignore a case where there is clear visual evidence of a car moving before lights out. His movement could have spooked other cars into moving which could have ruined their starts. You can see people making jump starts in response to other jump starts often in athletics especially in short races like 100m, etc.
Also it was not a case where he drifted just a few mm. He moved nearly half a wheel rotation in that false start and somehow the transponder either didn’t pick it or found it to be within limits. Either the way the transponder sensitivity has to be improved.
What were stewards supposed to do with this “evidence”, when the rules clearly state what is jump start and how it is measured?
Review and possibly change the rule for the future. Admit that the way the rule was written is not good enough.
Most people are not upset that Norris didn’t get punished. Forethought is a good thing if there is a way to gain an advantage teams will do it, I wouldn’t be surprised if a few teams figure out how to game the sensor by the end of the week.