Paul Jeffrey
Premium
Daniel Ricciardo has earned the dubious award of first grid penalty of the new season, dropping 3 places on Sunday for a red flag infringement during FP2 earlier today.
Ricciardo would be reprimanded by the event stewards following the conclusion of the Formula One running in Melbourne earlier today, earning himself a three place grid penalty for the race on Sunday after "speeding" under red flag conditions during the second timed Free Practice session for the 2018 Australian Grand Prix.
With the on track action called to a halt to allow marshals to clear debris from the start finish straight, Ricciardo did indeed drastically drop his pace on the way back to his pit stall, however with the regulations stating a driver must adhere to a maximum lap delta, the Australian acknowledged an error reading his in car timing dash and completed the remainder of the lap too quickly for the stewards liking. Despite the severity of the misdemeanour with regards to the rule book, the race stewards did acknowledge that Ricciardo didn't show any dangerous driving tendencies during the red flag period, and as such reduced the penalty to two points on the five time Grand Prix winners racing licence, and a three place drop for the race on Sunday.
“Article 31.6 was added [to the rules] this year to ensure that drivers reduce speed sufficiently during a red flag,” read a statement issued by race stewards.
“Breach of this regulation is seen to be an extremely serious matter. However, in this case, the Stewards thoroughly reviewed the breach and found that the driver slowed significantly, such that no danger was created, and that the driver proceeded with due care.
“The Stewards therefore are imposing a lesser penalty than usual, and impose a three grid place penalty and two penalty points.”
“Breach of this regulation is seen to be an extremely serious matter. However, in this case, the Stewards thoroughly reviewed the breach and found that the driver slowed significantly, such that no danger was created, and that the driver proceeded with due care.
“The Stewards therefore are imposing a lesser penalty than usual, and impose a three grid place penalty and two penalty points.”
So we've had less than three hours official running on track and the first penalty has already been awarded... awesome.
If you like your motorsport fast and open wheeled, check out the Formula One sub forum and get yourself in on the discussion today!
Like what you see here at RaceDepartment? Don't forget to like, subscribe and follow us on social media!
RaceDepartment YouTube
RaceDepartment Twitter
RaceDepartment Facebook
RaceDepartment Twitch
RaceDepartment Instagram
Do you think the penalty issued to Ricciardo was fair? Does the sport have the balance right when it comes to punishments in Grand Prix racing? Let us know in the comments section below!
Last edited:
