The FIA has decided not to sanction the four drivers under investigation for having launched a second training lap in Brazil without the race management having given its agreement. The stewards did not want to do more than a reprimand and therefore did not change the order upon arrival.
Four drivers out of the first five on the grid, namely Lando Norris, George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, were under investigation by the race stewards for having restarted a second formation lap while the race direction had put the sign “interrupted departure”.
Stewards found Norris responsible for dragging the other three, while other drivers like Esteban Ocon waited for a signal to move. A variable sanction which is surprising, but which the commissioners explained as follows.
“The F1 race director initiated the 'interrupted start' procedure, indicating that drivers should not leave the grid. This message was necessary because there was a car off track in turn 4 that needed to be recovered.” they wrote.
“Although the signal was given appropriately, the light panel came on as expected and the teams were informed via the messaging system, the driver began a lap that he assumed was a lap additional training.”
“As the driver was on the first row of the grid, this prompted subsequent drivers to take similar action. At one point the race director realized that, for practical reasons, all cars should then do an additional round of training.”
But the reprimand and the fine of 5,000 euros were therefore for the following reason: “In the opinion of the stewards, the driver (Norris) precipitated the action of the drivers who were on the grid directly behind him.”
In the judgment of the other pilots, the wording is as follows: “In the opinion of the stewards, although the driver breached the regulations, he was influenced by the driver in front of him and, as such, was not responsible for the infraction. The stewards therefore decide to not take further action after considering that the driver immediately in front of him was at fault.”
Finally, Carlos Sainz received a reprimand for driving among the marshals when they had begun the maneuver to repair his car after his accident. He admitted that he did not see that they had started, and thus avoided a heavier sanction.
