F1: FIA SUMMONS 6 DRIVERS AND 1 TEAM AFTER MULTIPLE AZERBAIJAN GP BLUNDERS
After the dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the FIA has summoned six drivers and a team for various infractions, disrupting what was otherwise a fiercely contested race.
Drivers Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Max Verstappen, and Nico Hulkenberg are all under scrutiny for possibly overtaking under virtual safety car conditions, while Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez face examination for their late-race collision. McLaren is also called to account for potentially having personnel and equipment in the pit lane during the race.
Verstappen, who continues his lead in the Drivers' Championship, has spoken to the media during the live broadcast about the summons, stating:
"I didn't pass under the VSC, we crossed the line, the race was finished," says Verstappen.
"There's a lot of examples this year where we've done exactly the same thing so I'm a bit surprised."
The exciting race on the streets of Baku concluded with McLaren's Oscar Piastri seizing victory, marking a crucial win for the team. Piastri was trailed by Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and George Russell from Mercedes, who rounded out the podium positions.
Speaking about his second career win, Piastri commented during a post-race interview, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports:
"I tried, at the start to get in front, but once I got out of DRS I didn't have the pace. After the stop, I saw we were pretty close again. I felt like we had a bit of extra grip and thought we had to go for it because I thought I'd never get past otherwise," Piastri said.
"I went for a big lunge and hung on for dear life for the next 35 laps. The last couple of laps were a little bit more relaxing but there's no such thing as a relaxing lap. That goes down as one of the better races in my career."
A late-race crash between Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz during an intense battle for third ended both of their races and engaged the virtual safety car, which is when the majority of the potential infringements occurred.
Post-race, the significance of the FIA's summons cannot be overstated. Penalties, if imposed, could profoundly impact driver standings, team rankings, and race results.
2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Results
1. Oscar Piastri
2. Charles Leclerc
3. George Russell
4. Lando Norris
5. Max Verstappen
6. Fernando Alonso
7. Alex Albon
8. Franco Colapinto
9. Lewis Hamilton
10. Ollie Bearman
11. Nico Hulkenberg
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Daniel Ricciardo
14. Zhou Guanyu
15. Esteban Ocon
16. Valtteri Bottas
17. Carlos Sainz - DNF
18. Sergio Perez - DNF
19. Lance Stroll - DNF
20. Yuki Tsunoda - DNF
2024-09-15T14:35:20Z dg43tfdfdgfd