F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Perez summoned by FIA for post-race criticism of stewards

Sergio Perez has ended his 2023 F1 campaign in the FIA stewards’ office following a scathing criticism of the officials after the Abu Dhabi GP.

Perez finished second on the road at Yas Marina but was thrown off the podium and demoted to fourth as the result of being handed a five-second time penalty for a clash with McLaren’s Lando Norris earlier in the race.

The pair were battling for fourth on lap 48 of 57 and barreling down to Turn 6 when Perez took the inside line into the corner.

Norris widened his own line but on the exit the two drivers made contact, which forced the McLaren driver to run off the course.

The move was frowned upon by the stewards and put under investigation. It was eventually considered that the Red Bull driver had been responsible for the run-in, even in the absence of damage or prejudice for either driver.

After the checkered flag, on his cool down lap, Perez vented his frustration over the team radio.

“The stewards are a joke, man. I cannot believe it,” he said. “They have been very bad this year, but this is a joke. That was really a joke."

Perez was set to answer for his conduct which constituted a potential breach of the FIA’s International Sporting Code.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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