McLaren driver Lando Norris explained why he jumped the start of the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Norris moved forward when 4 out of the 5 lights were on before the start of the Grand Prix, but immediately stopped.
George Russell, who was alongside the McLaren, had reported Norris to his engineer who then passed it on to the FIA race director.
The matter was then investigated, concluding with the number 4 being cleared and without penalties as his car’s transponder didn’t identify the 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,” the Stewards’ document reads.
Speaking with the media after the race, Norris explained that he “stopped in time” as soon as his car moved, and that he’s “never done this before in my life, so I don’t know why I’ve done it.
“It was investigated and [I] was cleared.
“Things happen so quickly, it was pure instinct, not an input. These times, you’re just reacting to something.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen another light, there are so many lights there,” Norris theorized as a possible reason as to why he jumped the start.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen something and my body just reacted to it, but you’re just so pumped on adrenaline, you’re just reacting to anything.
“[Maybe] I’ve just seen something go off or another light come on or something and I’ve just gone on that, but I realized quick enough that I could avoid it.
“I got it stopped, there’s been plenty of other examples of when people have gone and stopped and there’s no penalty, so I’m happy with that.”