The Qatar Grand Prix, held yesterday at the Lusail International Circuit, was overshadowed by several controversies involving the FIA's decisions. A significant incident occurred when Max Verstappen was penalized with a one-place grid drop for allegedly impeding George Russell during qualifying. Verstappen expressed his frustration, stating he had "lost all respect" for Russell, accusing him of attempting to gain an unfair advantage during the stewards' meeting. This penalty demoted Verstappen from pole position, though he managed to recover and secure victory in the race.

Another contentious moment involved Lando Norris, who received a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for failing to slow down under yellow flags. McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, criticized the severity of the penalty, deeming it disproportionate and calling for the FIA to review their operations for fairness. Additionally, the FIA investigated 17 drivers for not adhering to a minimum lap time during qualifying but ultimately decided against further action. These incidents have intensified discussions about the FIA's consistency and transparency in enforcing regulations, with figures like Mercedes' Toto Wolff comparing the organization's turmoil to reality TV and emphasizing the need to protect the sport's integrity.

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