Verstappen fined 50,000 euros, Hamilton disqualified from qualifying
The FIA have fined Max Verstappen 50,000 euros for touching the rear wing of Lewis Hamilton's car after qualifying for the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix, with the Mercedes driver disqualified from the qualifying classification.
Verstappen reportedly spotted something amiss on Hamilton's car during the qualifying session and went to have a look after the Mercedes driver had secured pole position for Saturday's sprint qualifying.
"The Stewards heard from the driver of car 33 (Max Verstappen) and team representative," a statement from the FIA read.
"The stewards also examined a fan video taken from across the track, CCTV video footage taken from pit lane and in car footage from car 14, car 33, car 44 and car 77. In all, these videos gave a clear picture of what occurred in parc fermé following the qualifying session.
"Considering the fact that no direct harm was caused in this case, in the opinion of the Stewards, and that no earlier precedent of penalties for this exists - on the one hand but that it is a breach of the regulation and has potential for serious consequences on the other, the Stewards determine to take action in this case and order a fine of 50,000 euros."
Hamilton DRS penalty
Both Verstappen and Hamilton appeared before the FIA stewards in the early morning local time, with the latter under investigation as the DRS on his Mercedes car reportedly opens more than the 85mm limit.
On Friday the FIA postponed a decision to disqualify Hamilton from the session as new evidence would not be available until Saturday morning, with a punishment then handed to Hamilton before sprint qualifying.
"When the DRS is not activated this gap must be between 10mm and 15mm. The car passed this part of the test," a statement from the FIA read.
"The Stewards decide that car 44 failed the test indicated in TD/011- 19 and is therefore in breach of Art 3.6.3 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations.
"The Stewards agree with the Competitor that this is something gone wrong, rather than an intentional act or design but did not find there to be mitigating circumstances.
"Further, Art 1.3.3 of the International Sporting Code states that "it shall be no defence to claim that no performance advantage was obtained". Therefore, the Stewards order the usual penalty for technical non-compliance of Disqualification from the qualifying session."
As a result, Hamilton will start from the back of the grid for Saturday's sprint qualifying.
Post a Comment