Ferrari has received a fine of €50,000 as a result of its pit stop blunder at the Bahrain Grand Prix, in which one of its mechanics sustained a suspected broken leg.
Ferrari serviced Kimi Raikkonen for his second of two planned stops, with the Finn on course for a likely podium finish, but suffered a problem with the left-rear tyre change.
Mechanics were unable to detach the tyre from the car but Raikkonen was nonetheless given the green light to leave the pits, with the other three tyres having been changed.
The wheel-on mechanic was struck by Raikkonen’s affixed left-rear tyre and sent crashing to the ground, where he was quickly tended to by fellow team members and mechanics.
The mechanic, named as Francesco by Ferrari, suffered a shinbone and fibula fracture due to being struck by the wheel.
Stewards, as per Formula 1 protocol, summoned Ferrari and issued the fine, deeming that the car’s release was done “in a manner endangering team personnel and causing injury.”
Raikkonen retired due to the incident, while Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel maintained his perfect start to the year with victory.
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