A total of 4 cases in America F1 … Stewards who imposed a “reduced penalty” on Hiroki Tsunoda, similarities and differences with Norris, Gasly and Russell | Formula1-Data / F1 information and breaking news reporting

The 2024 F1 United States Grand Prix was held over 56 laps, and in addition to Yuki Tsunoda (RB), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), George Russell (Mercedes), and Lando Norris (McLaren) a “discounted” penalty of 5- make a second. forcing

Although the penalty itself was the same, each case was slightly different despite some similarities, and the reasons for the reduction, which was usually 10 seconds, were also different in each case

The “Unintentional” case of Yuki Tsunoda and Russell

Hiroki Tsunoda received a five-second penalty for pushing Alex Albon (Williams) off track and passing him at Turn 12 at the end of the long stretch in a battle for 14th place midway through the race. .

The FIA ​​Driving Standards Guidelines state that drivers must leave “sufficient space” when passing on the inside of a corner without forcing the other driver off the road.

The four-person competition jury, including Derek Warwick, decided that Hiroki Tsunoda had broken this rule, but at the same time pointed out that “car No. 22 was in control from start to finish” and removed from the course as well. .

Normally, a similar infringement would result in a 10-second penalty, but due to the circumstances the stewards applied a “reduced” penalty, cutting the penalty in half to five seconds.

George Russell (Mercedes), who also overtook Valtteri Bottas (Sauber) at Turn 12, received a lesser penalty of five seconds for the same reason.

Gasly gains a permanent advantage

Gasly’s case, which also received a five-second penalty, differs from the previous case both in terms of circumstances and reasons.

Gasly collided with Albon from the outside of Turn 15 and was deemed to have lost “corner right” as he was “temporarily” delayed exiting the corner, but was able to return from the path and get in front of D’Alboin.

This is not a breach of the guidelines, but it is a breach of Article 33, Paragraph 3 of the F1 Championship Regulations.

The reason the time was reduced to 5 seconds instead of 10 seconds was because Gasly retained the “right to the corner”, albeit momentarily.

Norris: limited options

The five-second penalty given to Norris, which sealed his third place on the podium, is similar to Gasly’s case, but the reason for the discount is different.

Norris attacked Max Verstappen (Red Bull) from the outside of Turn 12, but was unable to get on the same line as Verstappen at the top of the corner, going off the track in that position , and was considered to be in front of Verstappen when he returned to the track.

This corresponds to a case where a driver gets a “permanent advantage” by going off course without even getting “right to the corner.” So what is the reason for the reduction?

The stewards decided that Norris had little choice but to run off the track due to Verstappen’s proximity, and used this as a mitigating factor in the decision to impose a five second penalty.

F1 American GP special feature