Leaping from F3/F2 to an more and more advanced System 1 by way of rules is actually no straightforward feat. Nevertheless, Rui Marques, appointed as the brand new FIA race director rather than Niels Wittich on the eve of the Las Vegas GP, will possible bear in mind the weekend in Qatar for a very long time as a result of cascade of penalties that ensued.
The FIA present in Qatar
After an virtually flawless debut in Las Vegas, the Portuguese official instantly acquired his first style of what it means to deliver order to a race route that, even yesterday, proved unworthy of the spectacle provided on the observe.
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 shortage of a constant and uniform customary of judgment. It appears as if each Grand Prix represents a steady lottery, the place related incidents danger being (and infrequently 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 usually criticized for being too lenient in his choices, right this moment there are cries of concern over penalties deemed too harsh and overly inflated.
Let’s evaluation the whole checklist of penalties issued throughout a dramatic Qatar GP, the penultimate spherical of a constructors’ championship that might be determined solely within the Abu Dhabi finale and should have been influenced by the choices made by the race route.
Lewis Hamilton – 5 seconds + drive by
The seven-time world champion was penalized with 5 seconds for a false begin, regardless of his fast try to right the error by regaining management of the clutch and halting the wheelspin.
Moreover, the Briton, racing in his closing occasion for Mercedes, was handed a drive-through penalty for exceeding the pace 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 didn’t respect double yellow flags displayed on lap 30, incomes a penalty many thought-about extreme, although in keeping with earlier sanctions for related infractions. Regardless of this, Lando managed to complete within the factors, setting the quickest lap and securing two worthwhile factors within the constructors’ standings.
Lance Stroll – 10 seconds + 2 license factors
In 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 possible 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 take care of a 10-car-length hole beneath the Security Automobile, although the five-second penalty he obtained on the finish of the race didn’t have an effect on his closing place.
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