Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has inherited F1 Mexico GP pole after the FIA stewards awarded a three-place grid penalty to Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen.
The FIA initially didn’t issue an investigation into the matter as they felt Red Bull’s Verstappen slowed enough to not alert the mini-sector system. However, with the Dutchman’s post-qualifying comments of admitting to not slowing down, it changed things.
After nearly one and a half hour of wait, the FIA officially summoned Verstappen for failing to slow down under double-yellow due to the crash of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas in the final sector. All the necessary information was reviewed for the incident.
It was found that Verstappen did not slow down despite seeing Bottas’ crash when the driver ahead of him i.e Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel did slow down. The Dutchman argued that he did not see a yellow flag, while his dash didn’t light up as well.
Bottas hit had damaged the LED signalling system, which is why it didn’t work and Verstappen did not get it on his dash too. However, the flag could be clearly seen on his left but still the Red Bull racer continued on to complete the lap and go quicker.
As a result, the stewards imposed a three-place grid drop which means he drops to fourth as Ferrari’s Leclerc inherits Mexico GP pole to start alongside Vettel, with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton just behind alongside Red Bull’s Verstappen, in fourth.
The stewards statement:
The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 33 (Max Verstappen) and the team representative and have reviewed video, audio and telemetry evidences which clearly showed that the driver attempted to set a meaningful lap time and failed to reduce his speed in the relevant marshalling sector, contrary to the Appendix H, Article 2.4.5.1 b) as well as, the requirements set out in the item 9.2 of the Race Director’s Event Notes (version 3) in breach of Article 12.1.1 I of the FIA International Sporting Code.
Driver Max Verstappen of Car 33 admitted that he was aware that car 77 (Valtteri Bottas) crashed and did see the car on the left hand side of the track, but was not aware of the waved yellow flag. He also admitted not reducing his speed on the yellow sector. The Stewards noted from the on board images of Car 33, that the waved yellow flag was clearly visible and was shown with enough notice. The previous driver (Car 5) reduced the speed significaly as per the regulations.
Taking into account all the available evidence and the statement from the driver the Stewards impose a drop of 3 grid positions at the driver’s next race and 2 penalty points. 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 Article 9.1.1 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.
Prior to the stewards call, Verstappen seemingly did his own grave, with his comments made in the press conference, where he admitted to not slowing down as the stewards stated. “I was aware that Valtteri crashed.
“It didn’t really look like it [that I slowed], did it? No. I think we all know what a yellow flag means. It doesn’t matter [whether I backed off or not], does it? [If I made the mistake] then delete my lap. The second. The other lap was fine as well.
“Do we have to go there? To safety? I think we know what we are doing – otherwise we would not be driving an F1 car. It’s qualifying and, yeah, you go for it. But like I said before, if they want to delete the lap, then delete the lap,” Verstappen summed up.
Here’s how qualifying panned out