The FIA has released a revised final classification of F1 Austrian GP after penalties applied for track limits.
Following the end of F1 Austrian GP where Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took the win from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and the other Red Bull of Sergio Perez, the FIA posted the provisional classification. There was immediate protest from Aston Martin.
In the meantime, the FIA noted about checking over 1200 laps and also reiterating their plea to the Red Bull Ring owners to add gravel trap at Turn 9-10 to limit the track limits problem. Since the circuit also hosts MotoGP, they aren’t adding until now.
But it remains to be seen what is the decision of the owners. “Regarding the track limits infringements at the 2023 FIA Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, we note that due to the specifics of the circuit layout and the propensity of many drivers to repeatedly drive outside of the boundaries of the track, an unprecedented situation arose which resulted in all potential infringements not being able to be reviewed during the race,” said the FIA.
“Prior to the submission of a Protest against the result, we had already begun a full review of the track limits infringements, which is ongoing. During the Grand Prix, Race Control was tasked with reviewing well over 1200 instances where a car was reported as potentially leaving the track. The results will be updated once the review of those which were not able to be reviewed during the race is complete.
“In order to address the issue for future events we will renew our recommendation to the circuit to add a gravel trap at the exit of turns 9 and 10. We note that while this is not a straightforward solution in relation to other series that race here, it has proved to be very effective at other corners and circuits with similar issues.”
The FIA eventually upheld the protest from Aston Martin about potential track limits situation which was missed and the governing body noted about penalties to come in the final classification which they have now confirmed as it changes the finishing order.
They revealed 83 laps deleted from over 1200 laps that they went through. From among the Top 10, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly got further penalties of 10s each after their penalties during the grand prix.
From outside the Top 10, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon got the most of 30s, with AlphaTauri pair of Nyck de Vries and Yuki Tsunoda were handed a 15s and 5s time penalties. Williams’ Logan Sargeant and Alexander Albon were handed 10s time penalty each.
The revised results saw Verstappen retain his F1 Austrian GP win from Leclerc and Perez, with McLaren’s Lando Norris moving up to fourth and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso up to fifth, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz dropping to sixth from fourth.
Mercedes’ George Russell was up to seventh with teammate Lewis Hamilton dropping to eighth, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll moved up to ninth and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly dropping to 10th. Outside the Top 10, there were only few position changes.
Albon retained his 11th place, while Ocon dropped from 12th to 14th promoting Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu to 12th as Sargeant remained 13th. Both Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri moved up to 15th and 16th.
AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries dropped to 17th from 15th, while teammate Yuki Tsunoda dropped to 19th and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen was promoted up to 18th.
Here’s the provisional classification: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Austrian%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Provisional%20Race%20Classification.pdf
Here’s the final classification: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Austrian%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Final%20Race%20Classification.pdf
Here’s list of 83 laps being deleted: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Austrian%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Race%20Deleted%20Lap%20Times.pdf
Here’s the post-race penalties: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Austrian%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringements%20-%20Leaving%20the%20track%20multiple%20times.pdf
Here’s how F1 Austrian GP panned out
