In a dramatic turn of events during the Formula 1 qualifying session, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and George Russell all found themselves under scrutiny for “unnecessarily impeding” at the pit exit. However, the FIA stewards decided against taking further action after considering the circumstances.
The drivers, along with their team managers, successfully argued that their actions were a consequence of the enforced maximum delta time, which prevents drivers from going too slow to find clear air. Struggling to adhere to the rules and create manageable gaps, the drivers resorted to backing up in the pit lane, the only area exempt from the maximum delta time between safety car lines.
The stewards acknowledged the complexity of the situation, understanding the drivers’ predicament in balancing these conflicting requirements. While driving slowly out of the pit lane was deemed less dangerous than backing up cars on the track, they emphasized the need for a viable solution to avoid a recurrence of such incidents.
George Russell voiced his concerns, highlighting the perilous situation when cars with significant speed disparities share the track. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, initially under investigation for failing to slow down during yellow flags, was eventually cleared after evidence proved his compliance with the regulations.
Additionally, Williams faced penalties, with Logan Sargeant receiving a 10-place grid penalty and the team fined 20,000 euros (half suspended) for a pit lane incident involving Yuki Tsunoda and a misplaced jack, adding another layer of drama to the already intense qualifying session.
