Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has questioned the “brutal” punishment handed out to Lando Norris and insisted the FIA ​​must remain consistent.

The Qatar Grand Prix was Rui Marques’ second event as F1 race director, where he had already come into the spotlight.

During the race at the Lusail International Circuit, Norris received an incredible 10-second stop/go penalty for failing to slow down under a yellow flag, a penalty Wolff is unsure about.

Lewis Hamilton also received a five-second time penalty and a drive-through penalty at the Qatar GP for starting too early and going too fast in the pit lane.

Since Marques’ appointment, the FIA ​​​​has taken a tough stance, which Wolff has no objection to as long as the stance remains consistent.

However, the Mercedes boss pointed out that penalties as severe as Norris’s could cost McLaren its first constructors’ title since 1998.

Norris had been second when he received the penalty that dropped him to the back of the field. The Brit recovered to take two points, although Ferrari still extended McLaren’s lead.

Just 21 points separate McLaren and Ferrari ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi, with Norris’ penalty likely to be discussed should the Woking-based team fail to win the title.

“I think the penalties were brutal, especially for McLaren, and could cost them the championship,” Wolff said Sky Sports F1.

“I don’t know exactly what the infringement was, the most important thing is that there is consistency and if the race director comes and takes a tough stance, that’s fine as long as everyone knows that’s the tough stance and that’s what it has to be “You too.” stick to it.”