The FIA Race Stewards have taken no further action after Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz were embroiled in a late collision in the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
An unsuccessful lunge at Charles Leclerc into Turn 1 on the penultimate lap at Baku left Perez vulnerable to Sainz into Turn 2.
The duo continued fighting out of the second corner but became entangled shortly after, crashing to a halt and out of contention.
After reviewing the incident, the Stewards have taken no further action, with both drivers escaping penalties.
“As the two cars approached the wall on the right at the exit of Turn 2, they were about 1m apart,” the Stewards’ verdict read.
“From this point and throughout the incident, neither driver steered erratically, and indeed both kept their steering very neutral.
“The Stewards checked the driving line of the drivers on pervious laps. Sainz was on or close to his normal racing line, which forms a slight angle away from the right-hand wall.
“From the exit to the point of contact he move approximately one car width further away from the wall. Perez moved approximately half a car width further away from the same wall, being more parallel to the right hand wall.
“It was thus apparent that while ahead, and having the right to drive his line, Sainz did move slightly towards a car that he had limited vision of. At the same time, there was nothing unusual about Perez’ line, but he could have done more to avoid the car that he had better view of.
“In conclusion, the Stewards deem this to be a racing incident with neither driver being predominantly at fault, and take no further action.”
Verstappen escapes with stewards warning after VSC breach
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen also escaped a penalty after a post-race enquiry held by the FIA Race Stewards into an alleged Virtual Safety Car breach.
With Perez and Sainz’s crash triggering a VSC, the Azerbaijan GP was still under caution following the chequered flag.
In these conditions, cars a prohibited from overtaking en route back to Parc Ferme.
Verstappen failed to abide by this component of the Sporting Regulations, prompting a Stewards investigation.
“The driver was reminded that while passing after the chequered flag is not unusual, it is prohibited in the case of yellows, safety car or virtual safety car procedures,” the verdict read.
“While the drivers were aware of where the incident was, they could not have known if emergency equipment or marshals were being dispatched onto the track, and so have to proceed with caution.
“The Stewards are aware that this has happened earlier this season and was not noticed at the time. We are therefore warning the driver concerned, along with all other competitors. Further breaches may incur significant penalties.”
Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg also escaped with a warning for the same breach.
McLaren fined €5000 in Baku
McLaren has received a slight sting, marring its post-race celebrations in the form of a €5000 fine.
The papaya-clad team prematurely had team personnel and equipment in pit-lane in the final moments of the race.
The Stewards deemed this a “potentially unsafe” situation with cars still pitting during these moments.
As a result, McLaren received a moderate fine for breaching Article 34.13 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.
Why doesn’t Baku move the time of the race to help avoid the harsh, blinding sun?
I agree, why schedule a race that will finish in dangerous conditions with low level sunlight compromising the ability of the driver to make precise timing and distance judgements.
Similar scenario at the Australian GP, scheduled to start later to accomadate European fans sleep patterns.