McLaren "strongly disagree" with FIA yellow-flag penalty inaction

Team bosses in Baku — Photo: © LAT Images

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

McLaren "strongly disagree" with FIA yellow-flag penalty inaction

McLaren reported Tsunoda for speeding under double-waved yellows in the closing stages in Baku

Sam Hall

Wednesday 9 June 2021 09:28

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl left Azerbaijan disappointed with FIA race director Michael Masi after AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda went unpunished for speeding under double-waved yellow flags.

After the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was red-flagged at the end of lap 48 to allow for the recovery of Max Verstappen's Red Bull, McLaren team manager Paul James was heard via team radio reporting Tsunoda's infringement.

In his response, Masi stated no driver had slowed accordingly and that, in his mind, every driver should be penalised. He added the matter would be brought up in the next drivers' briefing at the French GP.

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In light of a three-place grid penalty handed to Lando Norris for failing to comply with red-flag regulations during qualifying, Seidl was left with a bitter taste in his mouth.

"It is clear what you have to do as a driver when you go through a double-yellow flag and you go through an incident and you see the car on track," said Seidl.

“From our point of view, things were happening there which were clearly not okay. Also, putting it into the context of what we got a penalty for, for example on Saturday.

“But that is all we can do. We can only report it and if the race director thinks there is no investigation required because everyone is doing it - which is something we strongly disagree with - you need to ask Michael Masi what he is after then.”

Masi has done a "great job"

Despite a difference of opinion on this particular issue, Seidl praised the job Masi has done since stepping into the shoes of Charlie Whiting in 2019.

“In general, we are very happy with the job Michael is doing which is a very difficult job," added Seidl.

"But the most important things from our side is transparency and consistency and a good dialogue which we usually have with him.

“Of course, there are situations from time to time where you disagree. That is normal. We are on the competitor's side, he is on the FIA’s side.

“But I guess if you look back now at the time since he took over, I think he did a great job.”