Ferrari file a protest to FIA for a white-line violation at pit lane exit from Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
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Ferrari has filed a protest against both Red Bull cars for an alleged crossing of the white line at pit exit.
Ferrari have lodged a protest to the FIA for an alleged violation by both Red Bull drivers. Ferrari say that both Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen crossed the white line at the pit exit, which if true, would be a violation of the rules and likely a penalty. If both drivers received a penalty, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc would climb to 1 and 2.
The Grand Prix was chaotic, at least during the start. It was delayed by almost an hour, and when it did start, it was behind a safety car. This gave way to a rolling start. When the track started to dry up, Carlos Sainz elected to stay out, while Charles Leclerc was bought in for intermediate tires on lap 18. Sergio Perez had already pitted once by that point.
On lap 22, the Ferraris double-stacked in the pit stop, which made Charles Leclerc absolutely furious. The next lap, Red Bull brilliantly overcut the Ferraris, and Sergio Perez took the lead of the Grand Prix. This is when the alleged violation took place, as they believe at least Max Verstappen crossed the white line while exiting the pit lane.
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Mattia Binotto: “We want clarity.
While the incident with Sergio Perez has been cleared, as confirmed by his PR manager, we do not have a decision on the Max Verstappen one yet.
“Let’s stop suffering. The protest from Ferrari against Sergio Perez at the Monaco Grand Prix will not proceed.”
Mattia Binotto had stated that it is ‘not much of a protest’ but more a way of inquiring on where the limit truly is. He alleged that this violation in the past was always a penalty of 5 seconds.
However, there is a precedent for incidents such as this, dating back to Sochi with Lando Norris. The British driver was not penalised for crossing the line while entering the pit lane but instead was only given a reprimand. If Red Bull can make it clear that the ‘violations’ took place as a result of the conditions, they will likely escape any penalties.
It remains to be seen if Max Verstappen will be penalised for the incident. If he is, it would drop him behind Charles Leclerc and off the podium. This outcome is likely to make Max Verstappen and Red Bull furious.
UPDATE: The stewards have also rejected the protest from Ferrari against Max Verstappen after they had already been confirmed to have dismissed it for Perez.
Also Read: “F1 is beyond a joke,” Fans left furious after red flag further delays start to Monaco Grand Prix
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