Did McLaren’s VSC call cost Norris a podium in Belgium?

(opens in a new tab)Sign InSubscribeF1ScheduleResultsStandingsDriversTeamsF1 UnlockedOpen menuFIA if(window.f1MobileDetection.iOSSafari) { var meta = document.createElement("meta"); meta.name = "apple-itunes-app"; meta.content = "app-id=835022598, app-argument=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/did-mclarens-vsc-call-cost-norris-a-podium-in-belgium.4PV8wZF1CnOdqL3wwrqqsH.4PV8wZF1CnOdqL3wwrqqsH"; document.head.appendChild(meta); } {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/did-mclarens-vsc-call-cost-norris-a-podium-in-belgium.4PV8wZF1CnOdqL3wwrqqsH","url":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/did-mclarens-vsc-call-cost-norris-a-podium-in-belgium.4PV8wZF1CnOdqL3wwrqqsH","mainEntityOfPage":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/did-mclarens-vsc-call-cost-norris-a-podium-in-belgium.4PV8wZF1CnOdqL3wwrqqsH","datePublished":"2026-07-20T08:23:22.284Z","dateModified":"2026-07-20T08:23:22.284Z","headline":"MONDAY MORNING DEBRIEF: Could Lando Norris have fought for victory in Belgium without McLaren’s VSC call?","author":"F1","description":"Lando Norris’s gut instinct was that at least a podium was possible in Belgium – and that’s before considering what could have been without his 10-place grid penalty. Did McLaren’s VSC call cost him?","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://media.formula1.com/image/upload/t_16by9Centre/f_auto/q_auto/v1784476044/trackside-images/2026/F1_Grand_Prix_of_Belgium/2286766089.jpg"},"isAccessibleForFree":"false","publisher":{"@type":"SportsOrganization","@id":"https://www.formula1.com#organization","name":"Formula 1","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.formula1.com/etc/designs/fom-website/social/f1-default-share.jpg","width":"480","height":"120"}}}Did McLaren’s VSC call cost Norris a podium in Belgium?Monday Morning DebriefF1 UnlockedLando NorrisShow more tagsSpecial ContributorMichael LamonatoIt was the best third-place start Lando Norris never had. The reigning World Champion was superb in Qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix, taking provisional pole with his first lap of Q3. Though he couldn’t improve with his final run, his original time was good enough to cling to an unlikely P3 despite McLaren’s low expectations around Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Unlock exclusive F1 content and more with F1 Unlocked. Totally free. Membership gets you closer with: Live like an F1 insider with exclusive access and VIP experiences Member benefits, rewards and offers Download the Official F1 AppYour ultimate companion into
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