Emilia Romagna GP: Oscar Piastri demoted to fifth by three-place grid penalty for impeding Kevin Magnussen | F1 News
Oscar Piastri has been demoted from second to fifth on the grid for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after receiving a penalty for impeding Kevin Magnussen in qualifying.
The McLaren driver produced his greatest qualifying efficiency of the season to end second behind Max Verstappen in Imola however was punished for an incident that occurred in Q1, leaving his team-mate Lando Norris to inherit a front-row spot.
With Magnussen trying to get himself out of the drop zone within the closing moments of the session, Piastri was unaware of the Haas developing behind him and clearly blocked the Dane at Turn Two.
Magnussen’s lap was ruined and he might solely qualify 18th, with the incident of explicit frustration given Haas had a powerful sufficient tempo for his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg to attain Q3.
More than two hours after qualifying completed, the stewards confirmed Piastri’s demotion, explaining {that a} late warning from McLaren had left the Australian unable to “safely avoid impeding”.
Norris’ hopes of backing up his maiden F1 victory final trip in Miami are boosted by the Brit’s promotion to second, whereas Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz transfer up to third and fourth, respectively.
Piastri will now begin forward of the Mercedes of George Russell and faces a significant problem to safe a podium regardless of McLaren’s spectacular tempo, given the issue of overtaking at Imola.
Piastri: I used to be quick on choices
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Second-placed Oscar Piastri reacts to being advised that Max Verstappen receiving a tow from Nicolas Hulkenberg might have resulted in Verstappen claiming pole
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 earlier than the stewards’ determination had been made, Piastri defined that he had solely been made conscious of the fast-approaching Haas on the final second.
“I looked in the mirror and I didn’t see anyone coming,” he stated.
“Here, you are coming with such an enormous velocity distinction that I appeared for a very long time and did not see anybody.
“And then I received advised fairly late that he was on a push lap, and I attempted to go, however you are type of quick on choices at that time.”
The stewards’ determination in full
“The stewards heard from the motive force of Car 81 (Oscar Piastri), the motive force of Car 20 (Kevin Magnussen), staff representatives and reviewed positioning/marshalling system information, video, staff supplied telemetry, staff radio and in-car video proof.
“Piastri was exiting the pits and Magnussen was on his quick lap. Piastri impeded Magnussen on the chicane at Turns 2 and 3.
“The stewards accepted the reason of Piastri that due to the format of the circuit at that location, he couldn’t see Magnussen till it was too late, at which era he tried to speed up away so as to get away from Magnussen as rapidly as doable. Magnussen acknowledged that it was tough for drivers to see vehicles behind in lots of parts of the observe, together with right here.
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Watch Max Verstappen declare his 39th profession pole on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix!
“However, the stewards reviewed the staff radio and Piastri’s staff didn’t warn him of the a lot sooner approaching automobile till Magnussen was too shut for Piastri to do something to safely keep away from impeding. In truth there was an roughly 140km/h velocity differential and Magnussen was solely roughly 40-50m behind on the time and this meant that Piastri was in the course of the chicane when Magnussen caught up immediately behind Piastri. Further, it was clear that Magnussen was on a quick lap since his exit of Turn 19.
“The stewards additionally reviewed the place different drivers had been warned of approaching vehicles and it was considerably earlier, and so they had been in a position to keep away from impeding at Turn 2/3. Traffic administration for slower vehicles is a particularly essential a part of the staff/driver mixture, notably in Q1. In this occasion the stewards decide that the dearth
of adequate warning brought about an “unnecessary impeding.”
Sky Sports F1’s dwell Emilia Romagna GP schedule
Sunday May 19
7.30am: F3 Feature Race
9am: F2 Feature Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Emilia Romagna GP build-up
2pm: The EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Emilia Romagna GP response
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
8pm: Indy 500 Qualifying
Formula 1 heads to Europe as Imola returns to the calendar following final 12 months’s cancelled race. Watch the Emilia Romagna GP this weekend, with Sunday’s race at 2pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
