Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have escaped without punishment after the FIA took no further action regarding two incidents during Mexican Grand Prix qualifying. Mercedes ace Hamilton will not receive a grid penalty after being accused of failing to slow down under a yellow flag, while world champion Verstappen has been excused alongside George Russell.
Verstappen and Russell were investigated after being accused of blocking the pit lane exit during the qualifying session. Both incidents came in the early stages of the session when all 20 cars were on the track.
Red Bull star Verstappen and Mercedes’ Russell escaped punishment, though, despite television replays showing that they had indeed blocked the pit lane exit. FIA stewards excused the pair, explaining that the incident was caused by all drivers being required to meet a minimum lap time while on slow laps.
“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,” read the official decision document from the FIA,” the decision document said.
“The Stewards consider that the entire set of incidents occurred as a direct result of the implementation of the minimum lap time between SC2 and SC1 which is designed (correctly so, in our view) to avoid dangerous backing-up of cars on the circuit during qualification.
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“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 a 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.”
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Stewards also insisted that seven-time world champion Hamilton did not breach race rules despite failing to slow under yellow flags. Cameras mounted to his Mercedes vehicle allowed the stewards to come to their conclusion.
“Our determination is that there was no breach of the regulations,” the decision document read.
“The on board video clearly shows there is no light or flag displayed to Car 44 on the straight into Turn 1, then a green light shows as he enters Turn 2, which is followed by two pulses of a yellow light then moments later, the light panel is blank. The driver was slightly slower in the mini sector than on his previous push lap.”
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