Charles Pic has been handed an unusual penalty for ignoring a red-light at the end of the pitlane during qualifying.
The Caterham driver will have to serve a drive-through penalty during the first five laps of Sunday’s race as punishment for the rule infringement.
The rather odd penalty, a first in Formula 1, has been taken as it’s the second time in two races that the Frenchman has ignored a red-light and he is already starting from last after taking a 10-place grid penalty for collecting his third reprimand in Korea.
“Car 20 [Pic] crossed the pit exit line at 14:17:10,” confirmed an FIA statement. “The red light was at 14:17:05.
“It is noted this is the second consecutive event in which the driver has driven through a red-light.”
Sauber were also given a £16,800 (€20,000) fine after they incorrectly told Nico Hulkenberg that Marussia’s Max Chilton was on a ‘cool down’ lap, but was instead on a timed lap which meant the Briton was slightly blocked by the German.
Hulkenberg wasn’t penalised as the stewards didn’t deem it his error.
Discussion about this post