Infringement Car 55 Crossing The Track
Singapore Grand Prix · 2024 · 21 September 2024 · Doc 35
- Driver
- Carlos Sainz
- Team
- Scuderia Ferrari
- Session
- Qualifying
2024 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
20 - 22 September 2024
From The Stewards
To The Team Manager,
Scuderia Ferrari Document 35 Date 21 September 2024 Time 23:47
The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, summoned (document 30) and heard from the driver and team representative, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
No / Driver 55 - Carlos Sainz Competitor Scuderia Ferrari Time 21:53 Session Qualifying Fact Crossing the track without permission during Qualifying. Infringement Breach of Article 26.7 b) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations. Decision The driver is fined €25,000, €12,500 of which is suspended for the remainder of the 2024 season on condition that there is no further breach of a similar nature. Reason The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 55 (Carlos Sainz), the team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, and information from the marshals. After crashing during Q3 which caused a red flag, Carlos Sainz crossed the track and then crossed the pit entry road. The Stewards examined video, questioned the marshals and heard from the driver that he crossed without first obtaining permission from a Marshal. The regulations are explicit that this is not permitted and is a potentially very dangerous situation. Further, this was reinforced by the Race Director in a previous drivers' meeting. The Stewards accept that Sainz thought that the track was clear because he was after the pit entry and there was a red flag. However, there were still five cars circulating and it was possible that one may make a mistake and not enter the pit lane, or may have entered the pit lane faster than Sainz thought. Further, there were potentially other vehicles entering the track that the driver had no knowledge of. The Stewards compared this to other penalties that have been given recently, which were given when the track was in race conditions, but under safety car and consider that this is a somewhat less severe case, because of the red flag. Further, the driver's idea that because he was beyond the pit entry is another mitigating circumstance. But in light of the explicit regulation reinforced in prior drivers' meetings the Stewards order the fine which is lower than previous penalties and order half to be suspended for the remainder of the 2024 season, in light of the mitigating circumstances.
Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and
The Stewards Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.
Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.