George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were given sentences with a place to leave their garages too early while qualifying for Bahrain’s Grand Prix.
Russell will now start Sunday’s race in Sakhir from third after pole-Sitter Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, with Pierre Gasly in the fourth and Antoneli in the fifth.
The Mercedes pair was released early in Q2 before the session resumed after Esteban Ocon’s heavy crash at turn 3.
A statement from Stewards explained: “The team’s representative, Mr. Shovlin, stated that he gave instructions for cars to be released by misinterpreting the message posted on page three of the time – ‘Restation Koha’ is appreciated – to be a message advising the current renovation time.
“He argued that there was no sporting advantage gained in this case as there was enough time (11 minutes) for the other teams to carry out their steering plans.
“We also noticed that the sports director of the team, Mr. Meadows, was not present at the event and that it would normally be involved in the release process.
“Director Sporting Single Saches FIA stated that such action can be a sporting advantage in that it can enable a team to carry out its directed plan, while other teams may not be able.
“The stewardees agree with this view, especially where only a few minutes remain in the session.
“FIA’s sporting director argued that there should be a sports penalty than a team in order, otherwise in the next teams would leave their cars as soon as possible to publish the resume time. Stewards agree with this view.
“Mr Shovlin argued that it was possible to give a non-sporting sentence if the stewardees stated that he would not be taken as a precedent, but also stated that if a sports penalty were to be given, it should be softened.
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Highlights from Bahrain Grand Prix’s qualification
“The directors agreed with the opinion that this violation required a sports penalty, however, admit that the violation was unintentional and a genuine mistake by the team, for which Mr. Shovlin apologized.
“We decide to place a network penalty with a position.
“A similar violation in different circumstances can bring a more severe sports penalty in the future.”
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Oscar Piastri provided Paul’s position for Bahrain’s Grand Prix, with George Russell initially second and Charles Leclerc third
Wolff: There is no precedent for this situation
Prior to the announcement of the network penalty, the Mercedes Toto Wolff team director said there was no precedent for the situation.
“There is no precedent. It’S’S’S A new rule in that sense, and we’ll see what administrators say,” Wolff said Sky Sports F1.
“I would hope that it is not the drivers who are penalized for him. It was a team’s mistake. We threw the gun here.”
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Russell said ‘will be funny’ if Mercedes is given a penalty before the decision is announced
Russell added: “I’ve never heard of a temporary message before. Usually it’s time, and as teams you are always ready and waiting to get that time of resumption, because it’s a hurry from the pits. And as soon as we saw that time, we went for her. And then as soon as we were there, she said”
“I mean it was 12 minutes to move to Q2. It would be very funny if you get a penalty.
Bahrain GP program GP I SKY SPORTS F1
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Martin Brundle of Sky Sports F1 breaks down the best chances of winning Grand Prix Bahrain
Sunday 13 April
- 10.50am: F3 Characteristics Race
- 12.20 Afternoon: F2 Characteristics Race
- 2.30 Afternoon: Bahrain GP Construction: Grand Prix Sunday
- 4 Afternoon: Bahrain’s Grand Prix Prix
- 6 Afternoon: GP Bahrain reaction: Controlled Flag
- 7 Afternoon: TED notebook
Formula 1 continues her triple head in Sakhir in Bahrain’s Grand Prix this weekend, live in Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with now – without contract, cancel at any time
