04/12/2021
NEWS STORY
Pierre Gasly has been given an official warning after being adjudged as having impeded Carlos Sainz during qualifying.
The Frenchman admitted that on the approach to Turn 3 in Q2, he saw the Ferrari approaching and thought that it would pass on the left, in his view, having left sufficient room to do so. He then saw it move across to the right so moved further left to give it room to pass.
Sainz stated that he had a "moment of confusion" so he went to the right at the last moment.
Neither car was on a fast lap, and this was a point of significance to the stewards in deciding to issue an official warning instead of any other penalty.
The stewards took the opportunity to stress to all team that due to the nature of the circuit, it is essential that efficient and timely radio communications be made to drivers about cars that may be overtaking during the race (in the case of lapped cars).
Gasly went on to finish sixth overall whilst Sainz qualified fifteenth having failed to post a representative time after hitting the wall and incurring rear wing damage.
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