F1 News, Reports and Race Results

F1 teams escape penalties for Abu Dhabi pitstop infringement

Formula 1 teams escaped penalties after a probe into potential eye protection violations during pit stops at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

During the latter stages of the 2023 season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit, Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly faced scrutiny for potential pit stop infringements.

They were joined by additional post-race investigations into the pitstops of Max Verstappen, Williams drivers Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon, and Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu.

Replays did not show any obvious violations in the various teams execution, but it eventually came to light that the stewards had noted that several pit crew members were not wearing the required eye protection during pit stops.

Following the race, the FIA stewards summoned all team managers to address the potential rules breach.

In the wake of the investigation and hearing, the stewards opted not to impose any penalties as it had been "in some cases insufficiently clear to determine" whether there had been a rule breach.

However, the officials reminded all teams that "the safety of team members is paramount."

The stewards' report concluded: "All teams are requested to stress the importance of eye protection for all personnel working on a car and ensure that this Article is respected by all team members in the future."

It was suggested that the Abu Dhabi race’s transition from sunset to twilight and to complete darkness may have caused visibility challenges for some pit crew members.

This may have incited the latter to open their protective visors during the final round of pitstops because of the reduced visibility.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Coulthard: McLaren ‘absolutely need to think’ as world champions

David Coulthard believes McLaren must adopt a more championship-winning mindset if they are to challenge…

9 hours ago

Wolff: F1 teams supportive of Abu Dhabi post-season rookie race

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that Formula 1 is exploring the possibility of…

10 hours ago

Tsunoda critical of RB’s Monza upgrade: ‘It didn’t seem to work’

Yuki Tsunoda left Monza last weekend thoroughly disappointed by the performance of the latest upgrades…

12 hours ago

Aston Martin F1 set for $2 billion valuation following stake sale!

The Aston Martin F1 team is reportedly nearing a stake sale to two US financial…

13 hours ago

A showdown of titans at Monza for Stewart and Rindt

On this day in 1969, Jackie Stewart out-dragged Jochen Rindt to win the Italian Grand…

15 hours ago

Williams: Colapinto faced information overload ahead of F1 debut

Williams team principal James Vowles admits that F1 apprentice Franco Colapinto was “loaded up with…

15 hours ago