The Ferrari Formula One team has been fined €10,000 following a pitlane incident between Charles Leclerc and McLaren driver Lando Norris.
The Maranello outfit released Leclerc into the path of Norris, causing the pair to clash and the McLaren driver to crash into the wall. After reviewing the incident and speaking with Leclerc and team representatives, the FIA stewards imposed the financial penalty on Ferrari.
Norris remained tight-lipped about the clash while speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the session. “No, I mean, it cost the team a bit of money, which is a shame,” he said.
Leclerc explained his side of the situation: “I’ve analysed it. My camera was on my face so I couldn’t see to double check with my mechanic and speaking with him it was a bit of confusion with the two McLarens going out.
“It looked like they were going out at the same time, so he thought they would go out slower, so I didn’t have a message to stop.
“On these kind of cases you rely on the team but these kind of things happen. It was also in a tricky moment because with all the red flags, everyone was in a rush to get out to do some laps.
“It’s a combination of things. It’s not something you want but these things happen.”
Why was Ferrari fined €10,000?
The FIA released the following statement.
“Breach of Article 34.14 a) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.
“Decision: The competitor (Scuderia Ferrari HP) is fined €10,000.
“Reason: The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 16 (LEC), team representatives and reviewed video and in-car video evidence.
“After a red flag period, several cars exited their garages. Car 16 (LEC) was initially instructed by a team member to leave his pit box. At that moment however, it was overlooked that car 4 (NOR) was already passing in the fast lane, approaching the Ferrari pit box and directly into the path of LEC. The team member, who was responsible for the safe conduct of releasing car 16, misjudged the situation and gave unclear instructions to LEC, who could not see NOR’s car. As a result, both cars collided in the fast lane.
“Having noted precedents for this type of breach, the Stewards are of the view that this breach warrants a more severe penalty than previously applied hence the penalty above is imposed.
“Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.”
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