Max Verstappen showcased his prowess at the Red Bull Ring race, securing a victory ahead of Charles Leclerc from Ferrari and his own team-mate, Sergio Perez. However, the initial outcome was shrouded in uncertainty as Aston Martin lodged a protest regarding the failure to correctly identify and penalize breaches of track limits, particularly at Turns 9 and 10. The situation further intensified when the FIA disclosed their inability to review over 1200 reports of drivers crossing the painted white lines with all four wheels during the 71-lap race. Additionally, the stewards were presented with a list of deleted lap times that revealed previously unnoticed infringements. Consequently, a thorough examination was conducted, resulting in the allocation of 12 penalties.
Penalties and Revised Rankings
Following the comprehensive review, Carlos Sainz experienced a setback, dropping two positions to sixth place in the final classification. Initially, Sainz received a five-second penalty, which he served during his second pit stop. However, this penalty was subsequently increased to 10 seconds. As a result, Sainz now finds himself behind Lando Norris of McLaren and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin. Similarly, Lewis Hamilton, the Mercedes driver, was also affected, as his five-second penalty was upgraded to 10 seconds. Consequently, he slipped behind his team-mate George Russell, settling for eighth place. Meanwhile, Esteban Ocon suffered the most severe consequences as a result of the new evidence presented to the stewards. Ocon received four separate penalties, leading to a cumulative 30-second penalty. Consequently, his 12th place finish was repositioned to 14th. Other affected drivers include Pierre Gasly, who now stands at 10th place in the final results, Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant from Williams in 11th and 13th place respectively, and Nyck de Vries and Yuki Tsunoda from AlphaTauri in 17th and 19th place respectively.
Potential Appeals and Track Limit Concerns
It is important to note that teams have the option to appeal these recent decisions within a specific timeframe. It has been reported that teams were frustrated by the delayed enforcement of track limits, as they could have otherwise warned drivers after receiving a black-and-white flag that they were one offense away from incurring a five-second penalty. In light of these events, the stewards strongly recommend finding a solution to address the issue of track limits. Previously, the FIA had urged the management of the Red Bull Ring to install gravel traps at the exit of Turns 9 and 10, similar to those utilized at the slower Turn 4. However, this proposal has not materialized due to the circuit’s hosting of motorcycle championship events, including MotoGP.
Max Verstappen’s dominating performance at the Red Bull Ring race was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding track limit breaches. The subsequent penalties and revised rankings have significantly impacted the final classification, with several drivers being penalized and forced to lower positions. The potential for teams to appeal these decisions adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Furthermore, the delayed policing of track limits has raised concerns among teams and stewards, emphasizing the need for a resolution to address this ongoing issue.
Leave a Reply