Introduction

In a dramatic turn of events during the 2024 Formula 1 season, Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Williams driver Franco Colapinto have been hit with significant penalties that will see them starting the Qatar GP F1 Sprint from the pit lane. The drivers faced repercussions after unauthorized set-up changes, with Perez additionally reprimanded for driving at an unacceptably slow pace during qualifying.

The Context

As the F1 circus rolls into Qatar for its final Sprint weekend, both drivers were already under pressure after failing to advance past Q1 in qualifying. The situation worsened when the FIA stewards revealed that both Perez's Red Bull RB20 and Colapinto’s FW46 underwent suspension modifications that breached the sporting regulations.

FIA’s Statement

According to FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer, “Changes to the set up of the suspension have been made on car numbers 11 and 43. Therefore, these cars should now be required to start the Sprint from the pit lane according to Article 40.9 b) of the 2024 Formula One Sporting Regulations.” The stewards reiterated this decision, penalizing both drivers severely.

Perez's Reprimand

To compound his woes, Perez faced a reprimand for driving too slowly, as revealed in the stewards' ruling. After reviewing multiple sources of evidence, including team radio, in-car footage, and marshalling system data, the stewards noted that Perez claimed he was trying not to impede other competitors while maintaining an adequate gap. Unfortunately for him, this caution led to his tyres failing to reach optimal temperature, resulting in a breach of regulations concerning minimum sector times.

Stewards' Judgment

In their judgment, the stewards acknowledged the importance of safety and orderliness in the race. They pointed out that while there was no unsafe conduct, violations of specific time regulations warranted the reprimand issued to Perez. The message from the stewards to all competitors was clear: adherence to regulations will be closely monitored in future qualifying sessions, with potential penalties for dangerous behavior or impeding others.

Looking Ahead

As fans gear up for the Qatar GP, the stakes have never been higher for Perez and Colapinto. Will they be able to recover from these setbacks, or will the pit lane start spell doom for their Sprint ambitions? One thing is for sure: you won't want to miss the action!