Pierre Gasly has learned the outcome of the FIA probe into an alleged blocking of Max Verstappen during qualifying for the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race.
The Frenchman was slowing towards the pits during Q2 on the Shanghai International Circuit, when Verstappen encountered him during a push lap.
Upon exiting the Turn 14 hairpin, Verstappen believed Gasly was on his line, and gesticulated towards him as he overtook him.
Verstappen subsequently lost his rhythm and went wide onto the gravel and run-off area at the exit of the final corner, ruining his lap.
“That Alpine is just on the racing line out of the last hairpin. It’s ridiculous,” Verstappen said over team radio at the time.
Gasly was subsequently placed under stewards’ investigation, along with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who was also investigated for impeding Lando Norris.
And, like the Mercedes driver, Gasly has been cleared of all wrongdoing.
The FIA’s decision document read: “Although the Stewards considered that the driver of Car 10 could theoretically have taken a different approach to the turn and stayed to the right at the exit, given the concession by the driver of Car 3 that he was not unnecessarily impeded by Car 10 in this case, we determined to take no further action.”
The Alpine driver will therefore keep his seventh place on the grid for Saturday’s race, one place ahead of Verstappen.
READ MORE – Kimi Antonelli learns fate of third FIA investigation in two F1 weekends
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