The first driver warning and team fine for impeding has been handed out in the 2024 Formula One season.
Running on a set of mediums in the first part of the session, the Williams of Logan Sargeant was on a quick lap as he rapidly made his way through the high speed turns in Sector 1.
As he approached turns 9 and 10, both Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton were touring slowly as they were on cooldown laps. While the Spanish driver did get out of the way, Hamilton did not. The Floridian had to go off track to avoid a big shunt.
The seven-time World Champion was looking to get out of the way of Sainz who was coming up behind him at a slightly quicker speed than the Brit. But he was ultimately on the racing line as Sargeant was coming through.
Hamilton received a warning, while Mercedes picked up a hefty fine for failing to tell their driver that the Williams was on a push lap in a dangerous area of the circuit.
Full decision by the stewards
“The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton), the driver of Car 2 (Logan Sargeant), team representatives and reviewed positioning/marshaling system data, video, team radio and in-car video evidence and determine that Car 44 impeded Car 2 at Turn 11. As a result, Car 2 had to take evasive action by going off the track to avoid a collision. Had that not been done, there would have been a serious, high speed crash.
“Having listened to the team radio, it was clear to us that the team of Car 44 failed towarn their driver of the fact that Car 2 was arriving on a fast lap. That was a serious failure on the part of the team, particularly given the speeds on this circuit and thenature of turn 11, which is at the end of a series of high speed corners where drivervisibility is impaired.
“We therefore issue a warning to the driver and impose a fine of €15,000 to the team.”
