Oscar Piastri and George Russell are under investigation by the FIA following a dangerous near-miss in the pit lane during the second free practice (FP2) session of the Dutch Grand Prix.
Why it matters:
Pit lane safety is paramount in Formula 1. Incidents like this can lead to significant penalties, impacting a driver's weekend performance. The FIA takes these safety concerns seriously, ensuring strict adherence to regulations.
The incident:
- The event occurred at Zandvoort after Alex Albon triggered a second red flag in FP2.
- Piastri, leading at the time, turned into his designated pit box.
- He was then signaled to proceed further down the pit lane.
- As he swung back into the fast lane, he nearly collided with George Russell's Mercedes, which was also exiting.
- It remains unclear whether actual contact was made between the two cars.
The big picture:
Both drivers demonstrated strong pace during the session. Piastri finished FP2 in third place, while Russell secured fourth. This indicates competitive performances from both McLaren and Mercedes for the remainder of the race weekend.
What's next:
Race control promptly noted the incident, and the stewards will conduct a thorough review after the session. They will determine if any regulations were breached and whether penalties are warranted for either driver.