Bahrain GP: Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli hit with one-place grid penalty for qualifying breach

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have been given one-place grid penalties for leaving their garages too early throughout qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Russell will now begin Sunday’s race in Sakhir from third behind pole-sitter Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, with Pierre Gasly in fourth and Antonelli in fifth.

The Mercedes duo have been launched early in Q2 earlier than the session restarted following Esteban Ocon’s heavy crash at Flip 3.

An announcement from the stewards defined: “The workforce consultant, Mr Shovlin, in proof said that he gave the instruction for the automobiles to be launched in error having misinterpreted the message posted on web page three of the timing display – ‘estimated restart time’ – to be a message advising the precise restart time.

“He argued that there was no sporting benefit gained on this case as there was enough time remaining [11 minutes] for different groups to carry out their run plans.

“It was additionally famous that the workforce’s sporting director, Mr Meadows, was not current on the occasion and that usually he could be concerned within the launch course of.

“The FIA single seater sporting director said that such a transfer may very well be a sporting benefit in that it may allow a workforce to carry out its run plan whereas different groups could not be capable to.

“The stewards agree with this view, significantly the place there are just a few minutes remaining within the session.

“The FIA sporting director argued that there wanted to be a sporting penalty somewhat than a workforce wonderful, in any other case in future groups would launch their automobiles as quickly because the estimated restart time was revealed. The stewards agree with this view.

“Mr Shovlin argued that it was doable to provide a non-sporting penalty if the stewards declared that it was to not be taken as a precedent but additionally said that if a sporting penalty was to be given, it needs to be mitigated.

“The stewards agreed with the view that this breach required a sporting penalty, nonetheless settle for that the breach was unintentional and a real mistake by the workforce, for which Mr Shovlin apologised.

“We determine to impose a one-position grid penalty.

“The same breach in numerous circumstances may entail a extra extreme sporting penalty in future.”

Wolff: There isn’t any precedent for this example

Previous to the grid penalty announcement, Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff mentioned there was no precedent for this example.

“There isn’t any precedent. It is a new rule in that sense, and we will see what the stewards say,” Wolff informed Sky Sports activities F1.

“I’d hope that it is not the drivers who’re penalised for it. It was a workforce mistake. We jumped the gun right here.”

Russell added: “I’ve by no means even heard of a provisional message earlier than. It is often the timing comes up, and as groups you are all the time prepared and ready to get that restart time as a result of it is a rush out of the pits. And as quickly as we noticed that point, we went for it. After which as quickly as we have been there, we noticed that it mentioned an ‘anticipated restart time’.

“I imply it was 12 minutes to go in Q2. It will be fairly ridiculous for those who get a penalty. However for those who get a €20k penalty for being on the bathroom, then who is aware of what the penalty [will be].”

Sky Sports activities F1’s Bahrain GP schedule

Sunday April 13

10.50am: F3 Characteristic Race
12.20pm: F2 Characteristic Race
2.30pm: Bahrain GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
4pm: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
6pm: Bahrain GP response: Chequered Flag
7pm: Ted’s Pocket book

Method 1 continues its triple-header in Sakhir on the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

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