18/05/2024
NEWS STORY
Oscar Piastri has been hit with a 3-place grid drop after impeding Kevin Magnussen during today's qualifying session.
The Australian was exiting the pits and Magnussen was on his fast lap, the McLaren driver subsequently impeded the Dane at the chicane at Turns 2 and 3.
The stewards accepted Piastri's explanation that because of the layout of the circuit at that location, he could not see the Haas until it was too late, at which time he tried to accelerate away in order to get clear as quickly as possible.
Magnussen acknowledged that it was difficult for drivers to see cars behind in many portions of the track, including that particular spot.
However, the stewards reviewed the team radio and Piastri's team did not warn him of the much faster approaching car until it was too close for him to do anything to safely avoid impeding. In fact there was an approximately 140km/h speed differential and Magnussen was only approximately 40 - 50 metres behind at the time and this meant that Piastri was in the middle of the chicane when the Dane caught up directly behind.
Further, it was clear that Magnussen was on a fast lap since his exit of Turn 19.
The stewards also reviewed where other drivers were warned of approaching cars and it was significantly earlier, and they were able to avoid impeding at Turn 2/3.
Traffic management for slower cars is an extremely important part of the team/driver combination, particularly in Q1 and in this instance the stewards determines that the lack of sufficient warning caused an "unnecessary impeding."
Having breached Article 37.5 of the Sporting Regulations by unnecessarily impeding Magnussen, Piastri, who qualified second, will drop three places.
Check out our Saturday gallery from Imola here.