United States: Sergio Perez sanctioned for missing the weigh-in
The Mexican driver will start from the pits this Sunday after being penalized by the FIA for missing the weigh-in during free practice 2.
It was at the end of the second free practice session that the action occurred. As he entered the pit lane, the Racing Point driver did not notice the lights in front of the FIA garage indicating that he should stop at the weighbridge for the mandatory weighing.
He stopped a few meters later, after his team informed him via radio. The team decided to bring him to the garage where his mechanics performed a pit stop. The car was then taken to the FIA garage for inspection.
The sporting regulations of Formula 1 are very clear on this matter. Indeed, any failure to present a car for inspection results in a mandatory penalty of starting from the pit lane. Furthermore, the mechanics touched the car before sending it to be weighed. Consequently, the stewards have no choice but to apply the penalties imposed for this type of incident.
The stewards examined the video evidence and heard from the driver of car 11 (Sergio Perez) and the team representative. They then determined that the driver did not stop at the weighing when he was obliged to do so, state the stewards in a statement.
« Instead, he continued on his way and proceeded to a pit stop where the car was handled by lifting it and all four wheels were changed, in violation of Article 29.1 a). The penalty imposed is a mandatory penalty specified in the Formula One sporting regulations, and the stewards find that they have no discretion to impose an alternative penalty. »
