Why Russell wasn't penalised for queue jumping
Why Russell wasn't penalised for queue jumping
FIA race director Michael Masi has explained why George Russell was not penalised for jumping the queue at pit exit during the Hungarian Grand Prix restart.
Chaos ensued at the Hungaroring when every driver but Lewis Hamilton opted to pit after the red-flag period caused by the lap-one carnage, leaving the Mercedes alone on the grid for the standing restart.
At the end of the pit lane, Russell had jumped from eighth to second by virtue of his grid box, before the British driver slid down the order to atone for his error.
Russell went on to score his first points for the team, crossing the line ninth but later promoted to eighth after Sebastian Vettel's disqualification, and afterwards thanked the FIA for not handing him a penalty for his actions.
Masi has explained, however, the FIA had no need to be involved due to the team's intuition.
"Basically, George realised his error and the team came across immediately and said we have made a mistake, we are going to drop back behind Fernando [Alonso]," said Masi. "It was actually the team's initiation.
"The team came across and said we are going to instruct George to drop back behind Fernando which is why you saw him pull straight off and slow right down."
On what would have happened had Russell remained in position, Masi added: "I would have referred that [to the stewards] straight away."
As cars are regularly seen to be jumping positions in the pit lane across practice and qualifying, clearing up any confusion, Masi stated: "In other sessions it is fine.
"But obviously you are overtaking cars in pit lane for the start of the race which is a very different scenario.
"It is just the fact that the Williams pit stop position was at pit exit for this particular event so that is why they would have had to drop back behind. Effectively, they should start in the order they arrive at pit exit."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton in Ferrari F1 SHOCK as star targeted for stunning Audi move - GPFans F1 Recap
- 50 minutes ago
F1 wonderkid in Mercedes TEST amid driver replacement reports
- 1 hour ago
Former Perez F1 boss reveals who should replace him
- 2 hours ago
Sainz hints at sensational move to rival series
- 3 hours ago
McLaren star DROPPED following serious injury
- Yesterday 19:57
F1 legend confident about Newey to Ferrari
- Yesterday 18:58
Related news
Manufacturer gives UPDATE on controversial Verstappen award saga
Rosberg opens up on CURSE after jinxing two more drivers
F1 star admits he 'could've stayed in hotel' in STUNNING Hungarian GP revelation
Schumacher claims Perez's Red Bull days 'are numbered'
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