Document 97 - Infringement - Car 16 - Leaving the track multiple times and driving in an unsafe condition

Summary of Incident

Driver: Charles Leclerc (Car 16) Competitor: Scuderia Ferrari HP Session: Race Time of Incident: 14:36

Charles Leclerc's Car 16 left the track on several occasions without a justifiable reason during the race. This led to a breach of Article B1.8.6 of the FIA F1 Regulations.

Stewards' Decision

Decision: Drive-through penalty imposed after the Race (20 seconds added to elapsed Race time).

Reasoning for the Decision

The Stewards reviewed various forms of evidence including:

• Driver's testimony
• Team representative's testimony
• Positioning/marshalling system data
• Video evidence
• Team radio communications
• In-car video

Key Findings:

• Spin and Wall Contact: Car 16 spun on the last lap at Turn 3 and hit the wall, but continued on track.
• Mechanical Issue: The driver reported that the car seemed fine except for an inability to properly negotiate right-hand corners.
• Chicane Cutting: Due to the mechanical issue, the driver was forced to cut chicanes on the way to the chequered flag.
• Lasting Advantage: The Stewards determined that cutting the chicanes (leaving the track) provided a lasting advantage, regardless of the mechanical issue.
• Unjustifiable Reason: The mechanical issue was not considered a justifiable reason for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

Therefore, a drive-through penalty was imposed on Car 16 due to the repeated track excursions and the advantage gained.

Additional Considerations

The Stewards also considered whether continuing to drive a car with an obvious mechanical issue constituted an additional breach. However, they found no evidence of an obvious or discernible mechanical issue that would warrant further action for that potential infringement.

Right of Appeal

Competitors are reminded of their right to appeal certain Stewards' decisions in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the specified time limits.

Stewards Present:

• Nish Shetty
• Vitantonio Liuzzi
• Natalie Corsmit
• Steve Pence