The right word to use to describe Mexico's qualifications is simply one: Chaos. Because, if on the one hand we talk about and underline the marvelous performance of Ferrari, first with Leclerc and second with Sainz, it is right to have to tell of the many drivers under FIA investigation. Let's talk about respectively Russell (investigated in two circumstances), Alonso, Verstappen, Zhou, Tsunoda and Sargeant. A lot of work for the commissioners who, by analyzing the different cases, made their decisions.
Six drivers investigated after qualifying for the Mexican GP: complicated situation in the FIA
Six drivers from the grid were investigated at the end of qualifying for the Mexican GP. But what is the real motivation? The circumstances are different. Russell, Norris and Zhou were questioned for exceeding the time limit on the exit lap. Following the investigation, and the meeting with each individual pilot, the FIA has decided: of all six only one will have to serve a penalty.
The choice on Russell, Verstappen and Alonso
For Russell, who qualified eighth in the standings, the interrogation with the stewards lasted longer than expected, as the driver Mercedes he also had to respond to the accusations of impeding in the pit lane. Same investigation carried out on Fernando Alonso and on the world champion Max Verstappen. All three drivers did not take to the track immediately, but in the pit lane they preferred to stall, causing large traffic to the pits. We are talking about the same action for which Verstappen was investigated after qualifying for the Singapore GP. Analyzing the three cases, the FIA's decision was not long in coming: all three were acquitted.
“The Sports Stewards – it is explained in the official note – believe that the entire series of accidents occurred as a direct consequence of the application of the minimum lap time between SC2 and SC1, which was designed (correctly, in our opinion) to avoid dangerous slowing down of the cars on the circuit during Qualifications. We note that there are opposite requirements for pilots, as they must respect the minimum time, they try to create manageable gaps from the cars in front, but they are also required to avoid stopping unnecessarily at the pit exit or driving unnecessarily slowly". The stewards acquitted the pilots, highlighting the discrepancies in the regulations regarding such incidents.
Only Sargeant pays, everyone else acquitted
The last three of the long, indeed very long, list of stewards were Yuki Tsunoda, Logan Sargeant and Lewis Hamilton. The motivation is very simple: none of the three suspects respected the yellow flag present in sector 1, waved due to a spin by Fernando Alonso in Q1. It's not the first time that pilots have made a mistake like this, with the choice of FIA that speaks clearly. Hamilton was acquitted as "the on-board video clearly shows that there is no light or flag displayed on car 44 on the straight leading to turn 1. A green light then comes on at the entrance to turn 2, followed by two pulses of yellow light and a few moments after the light panel is empty. The driver was slightly slower in the mini sector compared to his previous push lap".
The only one that the FIA punished was Logan Sargeant for overtaking Tsunoda under the yellow flag. The American has been moved back ten places on the grid and will start from last – rather than second to last.
