Mazepin handed meaningless grid penalty after impeding Norris
Mazepin handed meaningless grid penalty after impeding Norris
Haas driver Nikita Mazepin has been handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding McLaren's Lando Norris during Spanish Grand Prix qualifying.
The incident took place during Q1 as Norris aimed to complete his first flying lap of the afternoon, encountering a traffic jam consisting of Kimi Raikkonen's Alfa Romeo, the AlphaTauri of Yuki Tsunoda and the two Haas' of Mazepin and Mick Schumacher.
Mazepin will suffer no consequence other than the penalty point added to his super licence after the Russian qualified last for the fourth consecutive race.
The incident report read: "During the qualifying 1 session, Mazepin was setting up for a fast lap. As he approached turns 10 and 11 Mazepin was informed that Norris was closing on a fast lap behind him and was informed of the closing gap all the way through to the incident."
Noting mitigating factors, the report continued: "Mazepin then slowed to maintain the gap to Schumacher ahead of him with both setting up for their fast laps.
"Between turns 13 and 14, Raikkonen and Tsunoda, who were coming into the pits, jumped ahead of Mazepin.
"Both cars had also been informed of the fast-closing Norris, and it is clear that they did this to get out of Norris’ way. However, this created a difficult situation for Mazepin.
"The stewards determined that having been clearly informed of Norris’ whereabouts, Mazepin’s decision to pull out and re-pass Raikkonen and Tsunoda clearly impeded Norris, who lost significant time.
"The stewards recognise that this sequence of corners creates a special challenge to the drivers in qualifying and that Mazepin was faced with a difficult situation.
"This was also pointed out by Norris in the hearing. However, had Mazepin waited for Norris to pass, he could have pulled out and followed Norris and the stewards determined this opportunity was available to him without significantly compromising his next lap.
"The stewards, therefore, order the usual penalty for 'unnecessary impeding' of a three grid place drop and a single penalty point."
Mazepin has now collected two penalty points since joining F1. A driver is allowed a total of 12 in a 12-month period before a race ban is considered.
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Newey exit DATE revealed as Red Bull F1 chief set to leave
- 7 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Red Bull star set to QUIT team as F1 legend reveals flood of death threats
- 2 hours ago
Audi agree STAR driver contract as Mercedes driver tipped for new F1 seat THIS season - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Ferrari show off new-look drivers following HUGE announcement
- Yesterday 22:57
McLaren leading fight for HUGE cash injection
- Yesterday 21:57
Newey set to announce STUNNING Red Bull departure
- Yesterday 17:57
Related news
Former F1 star takes BIG step towards return after key decision made
Controversial former F1 driver tastes success on racing return
HUGE hit to F1 driver's future as High Court challenge DISMISSED
Mazepin handed MAJOR F1 return blow after VITAL sanction ruling
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860