Under current regulations, drivers can change tires during a race suspension, potentially penalizing those who have been to the pits before, as others are effectively granted a free stop.
Norris was one of several drivers near the front of the peloton who pulled to a halt after Mick Schumacher’s crash triggered a safety car, which quickly turned into a red flag situation to facilitate repair of the barriers.
The save dropped Norris from sixth to 14th, as those who remained outside were able to benefit from a free tire change.
Norris, who also lost the Italian and Tuscan GPs last year, eventually recovered in 10th place.
After the race, he demanded that the “stupid rule”, which was introduced in part because of the possibility of the tires being damaged by debris, be changed.
His team boss Seidl agrees it’s time to revisit the rules.
“We were all sitting in the same room and we went with this rule, so there is no point in criticizing it too much,” he said.
“But I think with what has happened over the last couple of years, it’s clear that it’s just not sporting fair and we’re definitely going to see how to change it, just from a sporting point of view.
“Because you cause like the red flags, and then you are allowed to fix your car and in fact you are in a better position after than before, besides you can change the tires, I think that is something which is just on the sporting side does not make sense.
“It doesn’t matter now, sometimes you get it, sometimes you don’t. But I think overall it’s not the right thing from a sporting point of view, and that’s why I think we should all come together as a group again and push for a change.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M, in the pits
Photo By: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Regarding the many interruptions to the Jeddah race, he said: “Obviously I didn’t like the first red flag after Lando stopped before and changed the tires. But it is difficult for me to judge whether it was necessary or not, because I do not know exactly in what condition the barrier was. It is therefore difficult to judge.
“And I think later the second red flag, I think there was a lot of debris, then the virtual safety cars, whenever there is debris on the track, you have to go safe because there are metal parts lying around, if you drive on them metal parts or they are thrown into the air and hit the bystander or a driver, you cannot take that risk.
“So from that point of view, I think I was totally okay with what happened today.”
Despite the frustration, Seidl was encouraged by Jeddah’s result after a disappointing race, with Daniel Ricciardo securing a solid fifth place.
“Overall I’m very happy with the result I have to say because after the three difficult weekends we had it was just important to have a good result again for the team and to also see that we had a competitive car here. Daniel was obviously able to show it.
“On Lando’s side, unfortunately, with the red flag and with the red flag rule, it’s like that right now with being allowed to change tires there, obviously his race was screwed up. and he couldn’t do more than come back to 10th place. “
