© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
F1 News: Mercedes Handed Fine After George Russell Mishap In Japanese GP Qualifying
Mercedes has been slapped with a fine after the Japanese GP Qualifying session.
Mercedes has been handed a €5,000 fine after the Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying session. The financial penalty was due to the unsafe release of George Russell in the pit lane which impeded Oscar Piastri.
Key Takeaways:
- Mercedes incurred a €5,000 fine due to an unsafe release of George Russell during the Japanese GP Qualifying.
- The incident involved a near-collision with Oscar Piastri in the pit lane, which was reviewed by the Stewards using various video evidence.
- Despite the mishap, Russell retains his ninth position in qualifying.
May 4, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Mercedes driver George Russell (63) of Great Britain
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
During the intense qualifying session of the Japanese Grand Prix, an oversight by the Mercedes F1 Team led to a precarious situation in the pit lane. George Russell's premature release nearly resulted in a collision with McLaren's Oscar Piastri, prompting an investigation from the race officials. The incident, scrutinised through both external and onboard footage, revealed a lack of vigilance on the part of Russell's pit crew, specifically the mechanic responsible for the release signal.
Russell, in his defence, explained that the unexpected presence of another team's mechanic in his peripheral vision forced him to swerve into the fast lane, inadvertently placing Piastri in a compromising position. Piastri, on his part, managed to avert a potential crash by swiftly manoeuvring away from the encroaching Mercedes.
Oct 23, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport driver George Russell (63) of
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The official statement from the Stewards reads:
"The competitor (Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team) is fined €5,000.
"The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 63 (George Russell), the driver of Car 81 (Oscar Piastri), team representatives and reviewed external and in-car video evidence.
"The driver of Car 63 stated that on receiving the release signal from his mechanic, he had intended to drive down the working lane, however he saw the mechanic from Car 44 in his peripheral vision and in order to avoid him, he claimed he had to move into the fast lane. He was not able to see the approach of Car 81.
"The driver of Car 81 stated that he had to take avoiding action by steering away from the approaching Car 63.
"Examination of the pit lane video shows that the mechanic of Car 63 who released the car did not look down to pit lane to see if it was clear. Even though the stated intention of the team was for Car 63 to move down the working lane then blend in prior to the pit exit, it is still the responsibility of the team to release the car in a safe manner and good practice would dictate that prior to the car being released, the pit lanes (both fast and working) should be checked for approaching vehicles."