Friday 20 June 2014

Austrian Grand Prix race stewards uphold Perez penalty

(Sahara Force India F1 Team)

The race stewards at the Austrian Grand Prix have upheld the five place grid penalty handed down to Sahara Force India's Sergio Perez for causing the horrendous crash with Felipe Massa on the final lap of the Canadian Grand Prix. 

After hearing new evidence from the Silverstone based outfit the stewards decided that the Mexican's penalty would stand meaning that he will start five places back from where he qualifies for Sunday's race at the Red Bull Ring. In a statement the stewards said:

'Having considered the new elements including hearing from team representatives and both drivers, and having viewed all available video evidence and examined both teams' and the FIA's telemetry, the Stewards decide that the original decision as handed down in Document 44 of the Canadian Grand Prix shall stand.'

The statement went on to say:

'The driver of car 11 contended that the new elements(s) evidenced that in defending his position he was exercising his right, under Article 20.4 of the 2014 Formula One Sporting Regulations, to use the whole track.
However, it was clear to the Stewards that the defence of his position occurred in the braking area. Article 20.4 specifically states that any right to defend by using the whole track must occur prior to any braking area.' 

© Ben Johnston 2014


No comments:

Post a Comment