Breaking: FIA penalty decision confirmed following Las Vegas GP inci…read more
FIA penalty decision confirmed following Las Vegas GP inci…read more
A controversial FIA decision following the Las Vegas Grand Prix has sparked debate among fans and pundits. The incident, involving Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, left many questioning the rationale behind the ruling.
The Las Vegas GP saw Mercedes dominate with a thrilling 1-2 finish, as George Russell took the top step of the podium, followed by Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull also celebrated as Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship. However, it was a more turbulent outing for Ferrari despite Carlos Sainz securing a podium finish with P3, while teammate Charles Leclerc ended the race in P4.
Ferrari’s performance was marked by internal miscommunication and operational errors. Leclerc, frustrated over the team radio post-race, delivered an expletive-laden critique, accusing the team of mismanaging crucial moments. Ferrari’s woes continued during a pit stop debacle on lap 27. Sainz, instructed to let Leclerc pass before pitting, was left waiting after Ferrari failed to prepare in time. This led Sainz to express his frustration, saying, “Wake up, guys, come on!”
The most controversial moment came when Sainz appeared to breach pit lane regulations by crossing the entry line improperly. On the live broadcast, Sky F1 commentators labeled it a breach of “one of the fundamental rules,” sparking expectations of a penalty. However, Sainz escaped without any sanction, allowing him to retain his P3 finish, much to the disappointment of Leclerc, who could have claimed the podium spot otherwise.
Sky Sports pundit Ted Kravitz shed light on the FIA’s explanation in his post-race analysis. According to Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, the FIA, led by debutant race director Rui Marques, ruled that Sainz’s action was akin to a track limits violation rather than a breach of pit lane regulations. Kravitz remarked, “Maybe Marques didn’t fully consider it as breaking a specific race director’s note, treating it instead as a track limits issue. That’s why Sainz got away with it.”
While the decision benefited Sainz, it added to Ferrari’s turbulent season of inconsistent performance and internal miscommunication. With the constructors’ championship still in contention, such errors could cost Ferrari dearly in the long run. As the season winds down, the Scuderia must address these issues to remain competitive against top teams like Mercedes and Red Bull.
Formula 1 fans are now eagerly anticipating the next race, where more drama is sure to unfold on and off the track.
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