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Decision Car 18 Alleged Failure To Follow Race Directors Instructions Sc2 Sc1 Time

Chinese Grand Prix · 2025 · 21 March 2025 · Doc 30

Driver
Lance Stroll
Team
Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team
Session
Sprint Qualifying

2025 CHINESE GRAND PRIX

21 - 23 March 2025

From The Stewards

To The Team Manager,

Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team Document 30 Date 21 March 2025 Time 18:59

The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, summoned (document 20) and heard from the driver and team representative, have considered the following matter and determine the following:

No / Driver 18 - Lance Stroll Competitor Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team Time 16:11 Session Sprint Qualifying Fact Car 18 exceeded the time limit between the Safety Car lines. Infringement Alleged breach of Article 33.4 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations and noncompliance with Race Director's Event Note (item 2, document 11). Decision No further action. Reason The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 18 (Lance Stroll), team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry and in-car video evidence. When STR commenced a preparation lap, he was overtaken by NOR who was completing a push lap. STR followed NOR at a reasonable speed and then overtook NOR. While STR continued to drive at a reasonable speed, he was overtaken by NOR between turns 10 and 11. STR explained that his push lap would have been compromised if he had not then slowed to create a reasonable gap behind NOR. He explained that in the circumstances he considered the best course was to stay behind NOR maintaining a reasonable distance. Having done so, STR exceeded the delta time by approximately 6 seconds. The evidence showed that STR stayed at or above speeds necessary to stay below 1:54.0 around the vast majority of the circuit. In this case STR's ability to stay below 1:54.0 was compromised by NOR's overtake. No car behind STR was affected because the two cars following STR were on in-laps. Therefore, STR did not impede other drivers and gained no sporting advantage. STR maintained a reasonable distance of NOR. The Stewards therefore determine that STR did not drive "unnecessarily slowly", and that evidently the reason he was above the maximum time was due to his appropriate actions and take no further action.

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 Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.

The Stewards Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.

Nish Shetty Gerd Ennser

Matthew Selley Pedro Lamy

Zheng Honghai

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