George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were given one -off penalties for the grid for leaving their garages too early during the qualification at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Russell will now start a Sunday race in Sakhir from the third behind the pole Sitter Oscar Piastrim and Charles Lecler, with Pierre Gasly in the fourth and Antonelli in the fifth.
The Mercedes Duo was released early in the 4th quarter before the session restarted after a severe Esteban Ocon crash on Turn 3.
The administrators’ statement explained: “The team representative, Mr. Shovlin, in the proof that he stated that he had given the instructions for cars to be issued in mistake when incorrectly interpreted a report published on the third timing page -” estimated restart time ” – to be informed about the actual restart moment.
“He claimed that no sporting advantage was obtained in this case, because the remaining time (11 minutes) to make other teams to make their plans.
“It was also noted that the team sports director, Mr. Meadows, was not present at the event and that it would normally be involved in the release process.
“The sports director of FIA Single Seater said that such a step could be a sporting advantage that it could allow the team to carry out its plan, while other teams may not be able to.
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Esteban Ocon turned from the track and crashed into the barrier and brought a red flag in the qualification
“The administrators agree with this view, especially where there are only a few minutes left in the session.
“The FIA sports director claimed that there must be a sporting punishment rather than a team’s fine, otherwise they would release their cars in future teams as soon as the estimated restart period has been published. The administrators agree with that view.
“Mr. Shovlin argued that it was possible to provide a continuous punishment if the administrators said that this could not be considered a precedent, but also stated that if a sporting punishment should be awarded, it should be alleviated.
“The administrators agreed that this violation requires a sporting punishment, but they acknowledge that the violation was the unintentional and real mistake of the team for which Mr. Shovlin apologized.
“We decided to impose a grid penalty in one position.
“A similar violation in various circumstances could mean a more serious sporting punishment in the future.”
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Oscar Piastri ensured the field position for the Bahrain Grand Prix, with George Russell originally second and Charles Leclerc Third
Wolff: There is no precedent for this situation
Before the announcement with the grid sentence, the team director Mercedes said this Wolff said there was no precedent for this situation.
“There is no precedent. It’s a new rule in this sense and we’ll see what the administrators are saying,” Wolff said Sky Sports F1.
“I hope they’re not drivers who are penalized for it. It was a team fault. We jumped the weapon.”
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Russell said “It will be ridiculous” if Mercedes is a sentence before the decision notification
Russell added: “I never heard of the interim news. Typically, timing will appear, and how you are always ready for teams and you are waiting to restart this time because it is a rush from the pit. And as soon as we saw that time we went.
“I think it was 12 minutes to go in Q2. It would be quite ridiculous if you got a punishment. But if you get a sentence of 20,000 euros for being in the toilet, then who knows what the punishment (will).”
Bahrain GP Sky Sports F1
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Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle breaks down the best chance of winning in the Grand Prix Bahrain
Sunday 13th April
- 10.50: 00: F3 Feature race
- 12.20pm: F2 Feature Race
- 14:30: Bahrain GP Building: Grand Prix Sunday
- 16:00: Bahrain Grand Prix
- 18:00: Bahrain GP Reaction: Chessboard
- 19:00: Ted’s notebook
Formula 1 continues its triple barrel in Sakhir on the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with now – no contract whenever cancel
