Il Austrian Grand Prix it is not finished yet. During the evening, Aston Martin appealed complaining that not all pilots that have superato the maximum track limits during the GP were penalized by the stewards. The request was observed by the race directors who also met with the Silverstone team, arriving at the official decision: appeal accepted. Therefore, through further analysis and based on what emerges from the press release FIA, the stewards analyzed – and obviously punished – new drivers for not respecting the track limits not noted during the Grand Prix.
Track limits, new penalties arrive
With this decision, there are some important changes to the finishing order of the Austrian Grand Prix. Sainz, Hamilton, Gasly, Albon and Sargeant were punished with 10 second penalties. 15 seconds instead for De Vries; 30 even for Ocon. Only 5 for Yuki Tsunoda. The most important changes in the order of arrival concern Sainz, who drops to sixth – allowing Norris to move up to fourth, with Alonso fifth. Eighth position for Hamilton – with Russell gaining seventh place. Ninth place instead for Stroll, considering that Gasly dropped to tenth place. With these penalties, the podium therefore remains unchanged. Verstappen takes home yet another victory of the season, ahead of Leclerc's Ferrari and Sergio Perez.
The pilots don't fit
If Spielberg's race provided a great spectacle, in particular the overtaking and duels - just think of what happened between Perez and Sainz in the final laps - they certainly did not help the spectacle of the track the numerous penalties accrued for track limits. On the Red Bull Ring track every year numerous penalties are inflicted for crossing the fateful white line with all four wheels which, by activating the sensor, allows stewards to notice the irregularity committed. Many riders - especially after the GP - were asked about this rule, complaining about it a lot and asking for changes as soon as possible.
The one who particularly stood out on the issue is the pilot Ferrari Sainz. He was also the victim of the 5 second penalty to be served during the race - increased in the post. The Spaniard, when questioned on the topic, stated: “Six of the 20 strongest riders in the world have difficulty respecting the rule, evidently it's not our fault."
FIA, is it time for a change?
Regardless of the step backwards taken by FIA, it is clear that after today a change on the track limits discussion must come and, possibly, as soon as possible.
