About halfway through the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was leading the race with Lando Norris close behind in second place and the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri in third.

Piastri was the first of them to pit as McLaren brought him in for new tyres on lap 20. One lap later, both Verstappen and Norris came into the pit lane together, separated by just over one second at the time, for their own stops.

Red Bull’s stop for Verstappen was slightly slower than usual, taking 3.3 seconds, while McLaren completed Norris’s stop in just 2.3 seconds. This allowed Norris to get much closer to Verstappen as they exited the pits. For a brief moment, the two drivers were side by side at the pit lane exit, creating one of the most exciting moments in an otherwise calm race at the front.

Verstappen was driving in the fast lane, which is the part of the pit lane used by cars that are heading straight back onto the track. Norris was coming from the working lane, where pit stops are done. As Norris tried to stay alongside Verstappen, he ran out of space and ended up driving across the grass next to the pit exit. On the team radio, Norris said Verstappen had forced him off, while Verstappen said Norris had gone off by himself.

The stewards quickly looked at the incident but decided that no further action was needed as according to the FIA’s rules, Verstappen had the right to hold his position. The regulations clearly state that any car already in the fast lane has priority over those coming from the working lane. Drivers leaving their pit box must join the fast lane safely and without getting in the way.

There is also a rule that says overtaking in the pit lane is only allowed in special situations, such as when a car is broken down or blocking the lane. Since Verstappen was moving normally and nothing was blocking the way, Norris was not allowed to try to overtake.

Some fans also asked whether McLaren had made an unsafe release by letting Norris out so close to Verstappen. But the rules also explain that an unsafe release only happens when a car is sent out in a way that creates danger or forces another driver to take quick action to avoid contact. In this case, Verstappen did not have to steer away or brake, and no mechanics or other cars were at risk. Since Norris stayed in his own lane and did not cause a dangerous situation, McLaren did nothing wrong.

After the race, both drivers laughed about the moment. Verstappen joked that Norris helped cut the grass beside the track, and Norris admitted that Verstappen had every right to hold his position. He also said he was not really trying to overtake but just hoped to get a bit closer. In the end, it was an exciting but harmless moment, and both drivers followed the rules correctly. That is why there was no penalty and no further action from the stewards.