Leaping from F3/F2 to an more and more complicated System 1 when it comes to rules is actually no simple feat. Nevertheless, Rui Marques, appointed as the brand new FIA race director instead of Niels Wittich on the eve of the Las Vegas GP, will probably bear in mind the weekend in Qatar for a very long time because of the cascade of penalties that ensued.
The FIA present in Qatar
After an nearly flawless debut in Las Vegas, the Portuguese official instantly bought his first style of what it means to convey order to a race course that, even yesterday, proved unworthy of the spectacle supplied on the monitor.
Nobody disputes the penalties or the agency strategy taken by the brand new race director, however what raises eyebrows amongst drivers and insiders alike is the dearth of a constant and uniform commonplace of judgment. It appears as if each Grand Prix represents a steady lottery, the place comparable incidents danger being (and sometimes are) penalized in a totally totally different method from the earlier race.
Nevertheless, it’s clear that altering the race director with three races remaining might solely result in this end result. Whereas Niels Wittich (and earlier than him Freitas and Masi) was typically criticized for being too lenient in his selections, immediately there are cries of shock over penalties deemed too harsh and overly inflated.
Let’s overview the entire listing of penalties issued throughout a dramatic Qatar GP, the penultimate spherical of a constructors’ championship that will probably be determined solely within the Abu Dhabi finale and should have been influenced by the choices made by the race course.
Lewis Hamilton – 5 seconds + drive by
The seven-time world champion was penalized with 5 seconds for a false begin, regardless of his quick try to right the error by regaining management of the clutch and halting the wheelspin.
Moreover, the Briton, racing in his last occasion for Mercedes, was handed a drive-through penalty for exceeding the velocity restrict when getting into the pit lane.
Lando Norris – 10-second cease & go + 3 license factors
The McLaren driver admitted after the race that he did not respect double yellow flags displayed on lap 30, incomes a penalty many thought-about extreme, although according to earlier sanctions for comparable infractions. Regardless of this, Lando managed to complete within the factors, setting the quickest lap and securing two useful factors within the constructors’ standings.
Lance Stroll – 10 seconds + 2 license factors
In yet one more uneventful Sunday, the Aston Martin proprietor’s son was handed a 10-second penalty for colliding with Alexander Albon at the beginning in flip 4. The stewards additionally added two factors to his tremendous license.
Liam Lawson – 10 seconds + 2 license factors
The identical penalty utilized to the probably future Purple Bull driver, who paid for his collision with Valtteri Bottas in flip 1 with a 10-second penalty and two license factors.
Alexander Albon – 10 seconds + 2 license factors
The Williams driver obtained the identical penalty for hitting Kevin Magnussen’s Haas in flip 1.
George Russell – 5 seconds + 1 license level
The Mercedes driver failed to keep up a 10-car-length hole underneath the Security Automotive, although the five-second penalty he obtained on the finish of the race didn’t have an effect on his last place.
Supply: f1ingenerale
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