Jack Doohan will be penalized by the FIA by 10 seconds during the Grand Prix and receives his first penalty points
Jack Doohan was a little optimistic on the last lap of the sprint race, spinning a driver and losing the benefit of his action himself. The FIA judged the maneuver to be too aggressive, and has sanctioned him by 10 seconds during the Grand Prix which takes place this Sunday morning, and by 2 seconds on his super license.
While they were in the back of the grid positions, Jack Doohan attempted an overtake from a bit far during the penultimate corner of the Shanghai circuit and in the last lap of the sprint race. The Alpine driver slightly touched the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto but just enough to spin the young driver around. Blocked by the Sauber, Doohan had to wait for everyone to pass before he could resume with minor damages.
This maneuver did not please the race stewards, who penalized Australia by 2 points on its super license. He thus receives his first penalty points in F1. The stewards also decided to issue a strong penalty for the Grand Prix. This Sunday, the Alpine driver will therefore have a 10-second penalty to serve during his first pit stop.
« Doohan attempted to overtake Bortoleto on the inside at turn 14, but he locked his wheels at the apex and collided with Bortoleto. Doohan claimed that he was in control of his overtaking maneuver, but the presence of the two Haas cars and the trajectory they took compromised his attempt. » explain the FIA race stewards, led by Niels Shetty this weekend.
Firstly, as the driver initiating the overtaking attempt, it was Doohan’s responsibility to ensure that the maneuver was executed safely and in accordance with the regulations and guidelines. Secondly, by applying the Driving Guidelines, Doohan was not entitled to the racing line at the apex and should have backed off. In this case, due to the speed at which he approached the corner to attempt the overtake, the resulting wheel lock-up, and understeer, contact was made, for which Doohan bears the main responsibility.
« We therefore impose the standard 10-second penalty and two penalty points on him. » confirms the FIA statement.
