Oscar Piastri has left in Monza with a warning after a remarkable moment during the second free practice for the Grand Prix of Italy. The championship leader drove too early towards the traffic light at the end of the pit lane, while the session had not yet been officially resumed. The stewards decided to give him a tick for this, but further consequences are not forthcoming.
The incident arose after Andrea Kimi Antonelli ended up next to the track in Lesmo 2. The young Italian could no longer return independently and his car had to be removed by Marshals. That resulted in a red flag situation, so that the training stopped temporarily. After about ten minutes, the race management signed that the session would resume. At that time, however, Piastri made a mistake: the McLaren driver was already driving towards the traffic light of the pit lane, even before the FIA gave the official signal that the track was open again.
Fia gives an explanation
The incident is accurately described in the statement of the stewards. “Auto 81 was left out of the pit box at 17: 13.50, while the resumption of the training by Race Control on the timing page was only confirmed at 17: 14.09. This was clearly a violation of Article 22.2 of the racing leader event,” is the judgment.
McLaren soon acknowledged that the error was completely with the team. Because Piastri was sent out too early during a free practice and did not take any sporting advantage out of it, the stewards opted for a mild penalty. “The stewards acknowledge that, in contrast to previous incidents of a comparable nature during qualification, no significant benefit could be gained. That is why they consider a reprimand as appropriate,” the decision says.
For Piastri it remains with a warning. This allows the Australian to breathe relieved, because his position as a leader in the world championship is not in danger because of this misstep. He is currently in full fight with Lando Norris for the world title in Formula 1.
