Drama Before Imola: Two F1 Drivers Penalized as Verstappen Bat

“Drama Before Imola: Two F1 Drivers Penalized as Verstappen Battles for…read more

Tensions rose ahead of the 2024 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as two Formula 1 drivers were handed penalties that significantly reshuffled the starting grid. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri received a three-place grid drop after being found guilty of impeding Kevin Magnussen during the first qualifying session. The incident occurred when Piastri exited the pits and obstructed Magnussen at Turns 2 and 3, disrupting the Haas driver’s flying lap.

Although Piastri originally qualified second, the penalty dropped him to fifth on the grid. This allowed his teammate Lando Norris to move up to the front row alongside pole-sitter Max Verstappen. The Ferrari duo, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, also gained from the reshuffle, starting third and fourth respectively, much to the delight of the home crowd.

The stewards noted that while Piastri had limited visibility due to the circuit layout, the team did not provide him with adequate warning about approaching traffic. McLaren accepted the decision, and Piastri expressed frustration but remained focused on maximizing his race potential.

In a separate incident, another driver — whose identity was not immediately disclosed — was also penalized, adding further unpredictability to Sunday’s race. These last-minute changes fueled speculation and strategy revisions among teams, with a potential shake-up in race dynamics.

Ultimately, Verstappen managed to convert pole into victory, despite late pressure from Norris. Piastri, after a promising start, finished fourth, narrowly missing the podium. The penalties served as a reminder of how even minor misjudgments in qualifying can have major consequences in the ultra-competitive world of F

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