Sergio Perez will drop 3 spots on the grid for the Spanish Grand Prix as the stewards took a dim view of him driving back to the pits at relatively high speed following a crash in Canada on Sunday.
The Mexican got on a wet patch and spun on lap 53 heading into turn 6, ending up smashing his rear wing against the tyre barrier, resulting in significant damage.
Red Bull was desperate to avoid a Safety Car with Max Verstappen holding a solid lead and asked Perez to bring the car back to the pits. In the process he shredded more parts from his car.
Along with the penalty for the 34-year-old, Red Bull was fined 25,000 euros.
“After making contact with the barriers in Turn 6, the driver continued on track for the remainder of the lap with a significantly damaged car and thereby lost several carbon fibre parts on the way back to the pits.
“The team confirmed in the hearing that the driver had been advised to bring the car back to the pits as they were trying to avoid a Safety Car situation.
“The Stewards determine that, as well as a financial penalty for the team, a sporting penalty is necessary due to the safety implications of the incident.
“The penalty is imposed in line with precedents.”
Regarding the George Russell and Oscar Piastri contact at the final chicane on lap 63, the stewards took no further action as they believed it was a racing incident.
The Mercedes driver tried to make a pass around the outside with DRS, but the pair made small contact. Russell had to cut the chicane and lost out to Hamilton, before both of them got the Australian a couple of laps later.
“The driver of Car 63 attempted to overtake Car 81 on the outside into Turn 13, got fully alongside, but, given the nature of the turn and the track conditions, failed to complete the manoeuvre and both cars slightly touched at the apex.
“He then aborted the overtaking attempt, left the track and rejoined safely and without gaining any lasting advantage.
“The Stewards determine that no driver was wholly or predominantly at fault and therefore take no further action.”
RB F1 picked up a 10,000 euros fine as Yuki Tsunoda was late to arrive for the national anthem at the front of the grid.
“The Stewards received a report from the Media Delegate that the driver of Car 22 (Yuki Tsunoda) was late for the National Anthem.
“The Stewards reviewed video evidence and determined that the driver was indeed late for the anthem.
“The team stated that they failed to inform the driver about the timing adequately and therefore caused the delay, but it is also the responsibility of the driver to arrive in time. It is noted that the driver, once made aware of his mistake, took every reasonable effort to attend the National Anthem as soon as possible.
“The Stewards acknowledge that attending the National Anthem is an important element of the pre-race procedures and a sign of respect for the host country of the event.
“The Stewards note that the precedents are implying a less severe penalty (reprimand), but feel that escalating the penalty to a fine is appropriate.”
