Pierre Gasly's situation is perhaps the most emblematic when it comes to the FIA, the points on the super license and penalties, given that precisely for this reason the French driver risks blow up a Grand Prix. A situation that Pierre has repeatedly criticized, reiterating that he has not behaved so dangerous as to require such a harsh penalty.
We know that every driver needs a super license to race in Formula 1. Like a license, the super license also takes into account the various infractions that are committed. During each race weekend, in the event of accidents or infringements, the marshals can decide whether or not to apply a penalty in points.
The sporting regulations establish the maximum number of points (12) that each driver can collect over a 12-month period. Once this threshold is exceeded, his super license is suspended for the next event, and once the penalty has been served, the count restarts from zero. The penalties inflicted by the marshals were seen by the French as a real rage, "embarassing” as they are also given for minor infringements, such as track limits. The controversy between Gasly and the FIA therefore escalated with a heated debate after the Grand Prix of Mexico.
Change of course for the FIA
The French rider with the penalty in the 2022 Mexican GP that led him to accumulate 10 points out of 12 risks missing a Grand Prix in 2023. The 12-month deadline for the Frenchman is in fact set at the end of May. However, Pierre's protest led to an initial confrontation with the governing body to review the regulation and any changes.
The comparison would have led to the desired results. In fact, as reported by Motorsport.com the FIA would have decided that i sports marshals, starting from the beginning of 2023 season, they will take a more cautious approach to awarding penalty points. The new approach has already had initial feedback at the Bahrain Grand Prix. In fact, the commissioners imposed sporting sanctions – in this case penalties in seconds to be served in the race – without affecting the points on the super licence. The objective is in fact to reserve this type of penalty only for the most serious episodes. Avoiding cases like that of Gasly, who despite having contributed to the cause with his experience is still hanging by a thread.
