Following an intense qualifying session for the Mexico Grand Prix, a number of drivers, including George Russell, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Lewis Hamilton, were questioned by the Formula One stewards.
Lewis Hamilton was accused of failing to slow down during yellow flag conditions during qualifying, but he managed to avoid a grid penalty for the Mexican Grand Prix.
George Russell and Max Verstappen also got away with it all after obstructing the pit lane exit during the session. Following their qualifying runs, all three of the Formula 1 drivers under investigation were charged with breaking the rules.
All the alleged incidents came in the first part of the session with all 20 cars on track. Verstappen and Russell were among several drivers accused of blocking the end of the pit lane.
The TV cameras showed that they did. In particular, Russell was seen stationary at the exit of the pit lane while a large queue of other cars were forced to wait behind him
But none of them received a penalty. The stewards gave an explanation for their decision, stating that the requirement for all drivers to maintain a minimum lap time during slow laps in order to prevent drivers from going too slowly was the direct cause of the incidents.
The official FIA decision document stated, “The Stewards noted in particular the evidence of the drivers of Car 1, 14 and 63 and also noted that several other cars slowed either at the pit exit or in the pit road leading up to the SC2 line.”
“The Stewards believe that the minimum lap time between SC2 and SC1—which is, in our opinion, appropriately designed to prevent hazardous backing-up—caused the entire set of incidents.
We note that there are contrary requirements on drivers in that they must respect the minimum time, they are attempting to create manageable gaps to cars in front, yet they are also required to avoid unnecessarily stopping at the pit exit or driving unnecessarily slowly.
“It was also particularly noted that the Race Director accepted that these contrary requirements exist. All parties including the Stewards are firmly of the view that it is better to have the potential of cars backing-up in the pit lane or at the pit exit, instead of the potentially dangerous situation of large speed differences on track.
We consider that in the main all drivers involved in these incidents were acting in good faith and with safety as a priority. We also accept that Race Direction has taken the correct approach in apply the minimum lap time. It is desirable that better solution be found for the pit exit however at this stage, what that solution would be, is unknown. In view of the above, no further action is taken.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton was accused of failing to slow for yellow flags. That also happened at the end of Q1 after Fernando Alonso span his Aston Martin and came to a stop at the side of the track, bringing out those flags.
After reviewing video from cameras installed on his Mercedes, the stewards concluded that the 38-year-old did not violate any regulations. The decision document stated, “Our conclusion is that there was no violation of the regulations.”
The onboard video unequivocally demonstrates that Car 44 entered Turn 1 with no light or flag displayed. He then entered Turn 2, where a green light appeared, followed by two yellow light pulses, and a moment later, the light panel was blank. In comparison to his prior push lap, the driver’s time in the mini sector was marginally slower.
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