FIA makes penalty decisions on Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell

29 October 2023 , 01:59

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Lewis Hamilton was investigated after Mexico GP qualifying (Image: AP)

Lewis Hamilton avoided a grid penalty for the Mexican Grand Prix after being accused of failing to slow down under yellow flag conditions in qualifying.

And both Max Verstappen and George Russell also escaped without punishment for blocking the pit lane exit during the session. All three were among a swathe of Formula 1 drivers investigated after qualifying accused of breaking the rules.

All the alleged incidents came in the first part of the session with all 20 cars on track. Verstappen and Russell were among several drivers accused of blocking the end of the pit lane.

The TV cameras showed that they did. In particular, Russell was seen stationary at the exit of the pit lane while a large queue of other cars were forced to wait behind him.

But none of them were punished. Explaining the decision, the stewards said the incidents were caused directly by the requirement for all drivers to meet a minimum lap time while on slow laps to avoid people going unnecessarily slowly.

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"The Stewards noted in particular the evidence of the drivers of Car 1, 14 and 63 and also noted that several other cars slowed either at the pit exit or in the pit road leading up to the SC2 line," read the official decision document from the FIA.

"The Stewards consider that the entire set of incidents occurred as a direct result of the implementation of the minimum lap time between SC2 and SC1 which is designed (correctly so, in our view) to avoid dangerous backing-up of cars on the circuit during qualification.

George Russell was one of several drivers accused of blocking the pit lane (Sky Sports)

"We note that there are contrary requirements on drivers in that they must respect the minimum time, they are attempting to create manageable gaps to cars in front, yet they are also required to avoid unnecessarily stopping at the pit exit or driving unnecessarily slowly.

"It was also particularly noted that the Race Director accepted that these contrary requirements exist. All parties including the Stewards are firmly of the view that it is better to have the potential of cars backing-up in the pit lane or at the pit exit, instead of the potentially dangerous situation of large speed differences on track.

"We consider that in the main all drivers involved in these incidents were acting in good faith and with safety as a priority. We also accept that Race Direction has taken the correct approach in apply the minimum lap time. It is desirable that better solution be found for the pit exit however at this stage, what that solution would be, is unknown. In view of the above, no further action is taken."

Meanwhile, Hamilton was accused of failing to slow for yellow flags. That also happened at the end of Q1 after Fernando Alonso span his Aston Martin and came to a stop at the side of the track, bringing out those flags.

The stewards decided the 38-year-old did not break the rules having watched footage from cameras mounted on his Mercedes. "Our determination is that there was no breach of the regulations," the decision document read.

"The on board video clearly shows there is no light or flag displayed to Car 44 on the straight into Turn 1, then a green light shows as he enters Turn 2, which is followed by two pulses of a yellow light then moments later, the light panel is blank. The driver was slightly slower in the mini sector than on his previous push lap."

Daniel Moxon