The sports commissioner had a lot of work to do after the already chaotic and dramatic São Paulo 2024 Grand Prix.
- 23:53: And that’s all…
23:52: Interrupted start – Norris received a warning and a fine of 5,000 euros.
The reasoning is the same as in Russell’s case.
11:49 p.m.: Interrupted start – Russell received a warning and a €5,000 fine.
The introduction of the decision is the same as in Cunoda.
“(…) Since the driver was in the first row of the starting grid, it forced the following drivers to take similar steps. (…) In the opinion of the stewards, the driver Russell provoked the action of the drivers on the starting grid directly behind him.
11:47 p.m.: Aborted start – the riders went for a warm-up lap, even though they were supposed to stay standing.
Lawson, Cunoda: no penalty. “The FIA Formula 1 race director initiated the aborted start procedure, indicating that the drivers must not leave the grid. This report was necessary because there was a car off the track in turn 4 that needed to be extricated. Although the signal was properly given, the light panel illuminated as prescribed, and the teams were informed by the message system, the rider immediately ahead of Cunoda left the grid and continued the lap. In response, Cunoda also left the grid in violation of regulations. The race director realized at some point that for practical reasons all cars would now have to complete an additional formation lap and instructed the teams to have all cars continue and return to the grid to follow the correct procedure of the aborted start. In the stewards’ view, although the rider did break a rule, it was influenced by the rider in front of him and was therefore not largely responsible for the breach. Therefore, the stewards decided to take no further action, recognizing that the rider immediately in front of him was at fault.”
(Lawson analogizes the same reasoning)
23:28: Sainz received a warning for dangerous driving. This was a situation where Sainz took the wheel off after the crash, leaving the marshals heading towards him, but was then informed by the team that the car was safe and could continue. Sainz then got behind the wheel and was about to drive off. At that moment, the marshals were already installing the handle for the crane, but before Sainz could start, they managed to remove it. Of course, this created a potentially dangerous situation.
11:14 p.m.: The same with Russell… 10,000 euros in total for Mercedes.
23:12: Mercedes fined €5,000 for adjusting Hamilton’s tire pressure on the grid.
“After the start of the race was interrupted, a ten-minute notice was immediately issued for a new start. Due to the layout of the circuit and the access point to the starting grid from the pit lane, the time during which the team could reach the starting grid was extended,” said the stewards.
“The grid access gate was not opened immediately. The FIA acknowledged that with such a short lead time it was very difficult, if not impossible, for the teams to follow the procedure prescribed by the technical directive. The FIA technical delegate determined that the tire pressure, although adjusted by the team, was within the permitted parameters.’
“Due to the unusual circumstances of the reduced time schedule, aborted start, grid access logistics and the fact that the technical delegate determined that the tire pressures were within the correct parameters, the stewards have decided that the penalty for breaching the procedure is in this appropriate to the case.”
“Normally an infringement of this nature would result in a sporting penalty, but in this case it is not appropriate. However, this decision should not be considered a precedent for any similar violations in the future, as the circumstances are considered unique.”
21:27: We will wait for the next decision. The representatives of McLaren were only now summoned before the stewards because of Norris. The hearing will begin at 9:30 p.m.
20:48: The first decision – but the least unexpected. The stewards only formally confirmed the disqualification of Nic Hülkenberg, who returned to the track with the help of the marshals, which is not allowed.
19:30: A number of riders are being investigated. But none of this applies to the riders on the podium.
- Carlos Sainz is under investigation for dangerous driving.
- The Mercedes drivers are under investigation due to a change in tire pressure on the grid.
- Lando Norris, George Russell, Júki Cunoda and Liam Lawson are being investigated for starting procedures. They set off for another warm-up lap, despite the start being postponed – in which case the riders are supposed to return to the grid. If they are already on it, they should stay on it.
The São Paulo 2024 Grand Prix: A Comedy of Errors
Well, well, well! If you thought Formula 1 was all about speed and precision, think again! The São Paulo 2024 Grand Prix had all the drama of a soap opera and the penalties to match. Just another weekend in the life of F1, eh?
The Night of the Aborted Starts
It sounds like a bad episode of a failed TV show: “The Night of the Aborted Starts”. Lando Norris and George Russell had to put their tickets to the choir singing “Whoops, we did it again!” in their back pockets as they both received warnings and fines for a start that should’ve left them at the grid!
- 23:53: And that’s all folks… well, not really.
23:52: Norris is now 5,000 euros poorer! And why? Apparently, because when your front-row position gives you a sense of superiority, the stewards say, “Oh, please, don’t provoke the rest of the drivers behind you!”
Lawson, Cunoda, and the Great Grid Escape
Ah, the saga continues as Lawson and Cunoda *almost* became the stars of a new reality show: “Survivors: Grid Edition.” They left the grid when they shouldn’t have, but the stewards had a good excuse lineup: “In the opinion of the stewards, everyone else was doing it, so why not join the party?” Quite the reasoning there! Talk about setting a dangerous precedent!
11:14 p.m.: More Penalties… Who’s Counting?
At this point, George’s total comes to a whopping 10,000 euros. Bid farewell to that paycheck, mate! And just when you thought Sainz was on the sidelines, he gets a warning for dangerous driving. He looks like a Formula 1 driver taking a joy ride and says to marshals, “It’s fine, I can drive! Or not… Wait, who are you again?” Classic.
Mercedes and the Tire Pressure Penalty
23:12: With a hefty penalty, Mercedes received a €5,000 fine for adjusting Hamilton’s tire pressure. Now, the FIA commented on how unique this situation was, and somehow, that’s code for “You are lucky this time!” You see, normally, such offenses carry a larger penalty, but thanks to the logistical circus going on, the stewards turned into sympathetic comedians, rolling their eyes at the bizarre sequences of events.
Investigations Galore
19:30: Meanwhile, the investigations were piling up like one of those dodgy buffet spreads after 10pm. A lineup that would make a reality show contestant blush:
- Carlos Sainz for dangerous driving.
- The Mercedes duo for their tire pressure gymnastic act.
- Norris, Russell, Cunoda, and Lawson investigated for their warm-up lap when they really should have been sitting tight and playing nice.
Conclusion: A Night to Remember
So there you have it, folks! The São Paulo 2024 Grand Prix was anything but boring. With more twists and turns than a melted rollercoaster, drivers were dishing out apologies and fines as if they were handing out party favors! If you missed it, don’t worry – just keep an eye on this chaotic circus! We’re destined for more drama as the season rolls on. Just remember: it’s all fun and games until someone gets penalized!
The sports commissioner faced an enormous array of challenges in the aftermath of the tumultuous and dramatic São Paulo 2024 Grand Prix, which was marred by controversies and unexpected incidents throughout the event.
- 23:53: And that’s all…
23:52: Interrupted start – Norris received a warning and a fine of 5,000 euros.
The reasoning is the same as in Russell’s case.
11:49 p.m.: Interrupted start – Russell received a warning and a €5,000 fine.
The decision to penalize Russell aligns with the earlier case involving Cunoda, underscoring the need for adherence to starting grid protocols under high-pressure circumstances.
11:47 p.m.: Aborted start – the riders went for a warm-up lap, even though they were under instructions to remain stationary on the grid.
Lawson, Cunoda: no penalty. “The FIA Formula 1 race director initiated the aborted start procedure, indicating that the drivers must not leave the grid. This report was necessary because of a car that had gone off the track in turn 4, requiring it to be extricated. Although the signal for the aborted start was correctly given, the light panel illuminated as expected, and the teams were notified through the message system, the rider immediately ahead of Cunoda left the grid and proceeded to complete a lap. Following this, Cunoda also departed the grid, violating the stated regulations. Realizing that all cars would have to complete an additional formation lap, the race director subsequently instructed all teams to have their cars return to the grid, ensuring adherence to the proper procedure. The stewards concluded that, while a rule was broken, the circumstances surrounding the actions were influenced by the car in front of Cunoda, thus mitigating his responsibility for the breach. The outcome was reflective of a measured approach to the incident.”
(Lawson analogizes the same reasoning)
23:28: Sainz received a warning for dangerous driving. This incident occurred after Sainz’s crash, during which he initially exited the car. However, after being informed by his team that the car was safe, he prepared to drive off before the marshals had fully completed their safety measures. This created a potentially perilous situation as the marshals rushed to complete the installation of the crane handle just as he was about to leave.
11:14 p.m.: The same with Russell… 10,000 euros in total for Mercedes.
23:12: Mercedes fined €5,000 for adjusting Hamilton’s tire pressure on the grid.
“After the race start was interrupted, a notification was promptly issued for a new start within a ten-minute window. Given the circuit layout and access points to the starting grid from the pit lane, the time frame for reaching the grid was notably extended,” stated the stewards.
“Notably, the grid access gate did not open immediately. The FIA recognized the logistical challenges presented by the truncated timeframe, making compliance with the technical directive difficult, if not impossible, for the teams. Moreover, the technical delegate ascertained that despite adjustments made by the team, the tire pressures remained within permitted limits.
“Considering the unusual circumstances, including the brief schedule, the aborted start, and the issues surrounding grid access, the stewards deemed the penalty for procedural violations appropriate given the context. In typical situations, such infractions would attract stricter penalties, yet in this instance, leniency was warranted. However, it’s important to note that this ruling is not intended to set a precedent for future infractions, as the conditions were deemed unique.”
21:27: We will wait for the next decision. The representatives of McLaren have only just arrived at the stewards’ meeting concerning Lando Norris, with the hearing scheduled to commence at 9:30 p.m.
20:48: The first decision – but the least unexpected. The stewards only formally confirmed the disqualification of Nic Hülkenberg, who had returned to the track with assistance from the marshals in violation of regulations.
19:30: A number of riders are currently under investigation. However, this scrutiny does not extend to the podium finishers.
- Carlos Sainz is under investigation for dangerous driving.
- The Mercedes drivers are under investigation due to a change in tire pressure on the grid.
- Lando Norris, George Russell, Júki Cunoda, and Liam Lawson are being investigated for failing to adhere to proper starting procedures, as they set off on another warm-up lap while remaining outside the grid when they were supposed to remain stationary.
Chnical regulations onerous for the teams. As a result, the stewards exercised leniency in their verdict, opting for a lesser penalty this time. The extraordinary circumstances surrounding the event played a crucial role in the decision-making process.”
The Aftermath: A Lesson in Compliance
While some teams might breathe a sigh of relief from the leniency shown at the São Paulo 2024 Grand Prix, the implications for future races are clear. Teams are reminded that adherence to protocols is paramount, especially under pressure. The FIA’s verdicts serve as a cautionary lesson; a mixture of uniqueness and pressure may resonate with teams and drivers, but when it comes down to it, rules are rules.
As the dust settles on this chaotic race, one can only wonder what other surprises lie ahead in the remainder of the season. Each Grand Prix unfolds like a new chapter in a gripping novel, bursting with drama, heartache, and unexpected penalties. Fans and teams alike will watch closely, as even minor infractions can lead to significant costs—both financially and competitively.
Final Thoughts
With the São Paulo saga now etched in F1 history, the stage is set for future races to either follow in these unusual footsteps or stride ahead with renewed focus. Here’s to hoping the next adventure in the world of Formula 1 brings not only speed and excitement, but a little less drama on the stewards’ desk!
