George Russell and Kimi Antonelli received grid penalties in a place for leaving their garages too early during the qualification for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Russell will now start Sunday’s race in Sakhir from the third behind the Pole-Sitter Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, with Pierre Gasly in fourth and Antonelli in fifth.
The Mercedes duo was released at the start of the second quarter before restarting the session after the heavy accident of Esteban Ocon in turn 3.
A declaration by the stewards explained: “The team representative, Mr. Shovlin, said that he had given the investigation that cars were released after having misinterpreted the message published on the thirdrization screen of the synchronization screen – ‘` estimated restart time’ ‘ – to be a advisor message the real restart time.
“He argued that there was no sporting advantage acquired in this case because there was enough time left [11 minutes] So that other teams carry out their racing plans.
“It was also noted that the team sports director, Mr. Meadows, was not present at the event and that normally he would be involved in the publication process.
“The sports director of the FIA Single Seater said that such a decision could be a sporting advantage in that it could allow a team to carry out their execution plan while other teams may not be able to do so.
“The stewards agree with this point of view, especially when there are only a few minutes left in the session.
“The director of the FIA Sporting argued that a sporting penalty was needed rather than a team fine, except in future teams, the publication of their cars as soon as the estimated restart period has been published. The commissioners agree with this point of view.
“Mr. Shovlin argued that it was possible to give a non -sporting penalty if the commissioners said that it should not be taken as a precedent but also said that if a sports penalty should be granted, it should be attenuated.
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Ballowing facts of the qualification of the Bahrain Grand Prix
“The commissioners agreed that this violation required a sporting penalty, but accepts that the violation is involuntary and a real error of the team, for which Mr. Shovlin apologized.
“We decide to impose a grid penalty in a position.
“A similar violation in different circumstances could lead to a more serious sports sanction in the future.”
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Oscar Piastri obtained pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix, with George Russell originally and Charles Leclerc third
Wolff: There is no precedent for this situation
Before the announcement of the grid penalty, the director of the Mercedes team Toto Wolff said there was no precedent for this situation.
“There is no precedent. This is a new rule in this direction, and we will see what the commissioners say,” said Wolff Sky Sports F1.
“I hope it is not the drivers who are penalized for that. It was a team error. We jumped the weapon here.”
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Russell said: “It will be ridiculous” if Mercedes receives a penalty before the decision announced
Russell added: “I have never heard of a provisional message before. It’s generally the time, and as teams, you are still ready and wait to get this restart time because it is a rush of the stands. And as soon as we saw this time, we went there.
“I mean it took place at 12 minutes in the second quarter [will be]. “”
Sky Sports F1’s Bahrain GP Time
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Martin Brundle of Sky Sports F1 breaks down the best chances of winning the Bahrain Grand Prix
Sunday April 13
- 10:50 am: F3 functionality breed
- 12:20 p.m.: F2 features breed
- 2:30 p.m.: Bahrain GP Build-Up: Grand Prix Sunday
- 4 p.m.: The Bahrain Grand Prix
- 6 p.m.: Bahrain GP Reaction: Damn flag
- 7 p.m.: Ted notebook
Formula 1 continues its triple head in Sakhir at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, live Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with now – no contract, cancel at any time
