Shucking:Ferrari hit with FIA summons after Chinese Grand Prix sprint….Read more
Ferrari hit with FIA summons after Chinese Grand Prix sprint qualifying
The FIA has summoned Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc to meet with the stewards after he was allegedly involved in a breach of a newly introduced rule during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend. This rule pertains to the maximum lap time allowed for warm-up and cool-down laps, and both Leclerc and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll are being investigated for driving too slowly during sprint qualifying. As a result, they could potentially face grid penalties for this infraction.
The governing body of Formula 1, the FIA, had issued a new regulation ahead of Friday’s sprint qualifying and Saturday’s main race qualifying, confirming that all drivers must adhere to a maximum lap time for certain laps during these sessions. Specifically, the rule stipulates that drivers must avoid driving “unnecessarily slowly” during warm-up and cool-down laps, as well as during reconnaissance laps when the pit exit is open for both the sprint and race. The rule is designed to ensure that drivers who are on their flying laps are not impeded by slower cars.
The FIA further clarified that drivers who do not comply with this rule could face penalties, potentially affecting their starting positions on the grid. According to the FIA statement, the maximum time allowed between the safety car lines, as indicated on the pit lane diagram, is 1:54.0. This regulation is aimed at preventing drivers from holding up others on fast laps and ensuring smoother sessions.
Leclerc, despite the controversy, managed to secure a fourth-place finish in the sprint qualifying session. Meanwhile, his new teammate, Lewis Hamilton, impressed the paddock by securing pole position for the sprint race, surpassing both McLaren drivers and defending champion Max Verstappen. Ferrari’s strong performance, with Leclerc in fourth, set the stage for a potential team strategy aimed at securing victory in the sprint race before the main race qualifying session on Saturday.
The FIA’s official notice indicated that both Leclerc and Stroll were required to attend a meeting with the stewards at 17:00 to address the allegations. On Friday, Leclerc was seen heading toward the stewards’ office accompanied by Ferrari’s sporting director, Diego Ioverno. An official investigation into both drivers’ alleged infractions was then launched, with the stewards reviewing the situation. After considering the circumstances, a decision was made later that day, concluding that no further action would be taken against either Leclerc or Stroll. The stewards accepted that there were extenuating circumstances that contributed to Leclerc’s violation of the rule, and they decided not to penalize the Ferrari driver.
This decision means that, despite the initial concerns, Leclerc will not face any penalties for the alleged breach, and his position for the upcoming races remains un
affected.
