Hamilton, Verstappen and 15 other F1 drivers under

Hamilton, Verstappen and 15 other F1 drivers under INVESTIGATION at…..read more

Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and 15 other Formula 1 drivers are currently under investigation by the FIA following an incident during the sprint qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix. This has raised eyebrows, as some of the sport’s biggest names, including Hamilton and Verstappen, are among those being scrutinized for breaking a specific rule related to the maximum delta time.

The investigation centers on the alleged violation of the maximum delta time, a rule designed to ensure that drivers adhere to a consistent pace during the qualifying sessions. This rule is in place to maintain fairness and safety during the sprint format, and any infraction can result in penalties or other disciplinary actions. The FIA stewards are set to review the situation after the session to determine the severity of the breaches and decide on appropriate penalties.

A total of 17 drivers, including some of the top contenders in the championship, have been named in the investigation. Among them are both Red Bull drivers, Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez, as well as the two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, have also found themselves under investigation. The situation comes at a crucial moment in the season, with the title races for both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships heating up.

Although Verstappen has already clinched the drivers’ championship title following his victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the battle for the constructors’ title is far from decided. McLaren, who are currently leading the constructors’ standings, are just 24 points ahead of Ferrari, with only two races remaining. Red Bull, despite Verstappen’s dominance, are trailing behind in third place, 53 points behind McLaren. The tight race for the constructors’ championship means that every point matters, and any penalties or changes in the results could have significant consequences for the teams involved.

In addition to Hamilton and Verstappen, several other prominent drivers are also under investigation. George Russell of Mercedes, who is Hamilton’s teammate, is among the drivers being scrutinized. Kevin Magnussen (Haas), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) are also on the list. Additionally, Alex Albon (Williams), Liam Lawson (AlphaTauri), Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), Franco Colapinto (Alfa Romeo), and Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo) round out the 17 drivers facing investigation.

The maximum delta time rule is designed to ensure that drivers don’t gain an unfair advantage by slowing down excessively between two timing sectors, often as a tactic to disrupt the flow of the session. This is particularly critical during sprint weekends, where qualifying times are condensed into shorter sessions, and any irregularity can lead to significant changes in the grid positions for the main race.

The fact that so many drivers have been placed under investigation raises questions about whether there was a systemic issue during the sprint qualifying session or if these infractions were isolated cases. The stewards will carefully analyze the data from the session, including the sector times, and compare them to the allowed delta time limits. If they determine that a driver or team has intentionally or unintentionally violated the rule, they could face penalties ranging from grid drops to time penalties, depending on the severity of the breach.

For teams like McLaren and Ferrari, whose drivers are involved in the investigation, the timing could not be more critical. McLaren, in particular, is looking to secure its first constructors’ title since 1998, and the potential for penalties could impact their chances. As for Red Bull, while they have already secured the drivers’ championship through Verstappen’s success, the constructors’ race is still very much alive, and the outcome of the investigation could play a crucial role in determining their final position in the standings.

The FIA’s investigation into these alleged breaches serves as a reminder of the strict regulations that govern Formula 1 and the importance of adhering to the rules. With so many drivers involved and the stakes so high, the outcome of this investigation could have a major impact on the final results of the Qatar Grand Prix and the overall championship standings. Fans and teams alike will be eagerly awaiting the FIA’s findings and any potential penalties that could follow.