Azerbaijan Grand Prix: F1 team FINED by FIA after very strange incident

The glorious skyline of Baku is covered with an FIA flag — Photo: © IMAGO

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

F1 team FINED by FIA after very strange Azerbaijan GP incident

The FIA have confirmed a fine for Williams F1 team

Jay Winter

Sunday 15 September 2024 18:00

One Formula 1 team have been slapped with a fine following a bizarre incident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend.

Sunday's race in Baku proved an epic watch, with a fierce battle for the lead throughout the race.

F1 RESULTS: Dramatic race ends with HUGE crash as championship lead changes

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In the end, McLaren's Oscar Piastri came out on top, leading home a top three that also consisted of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes' George Russell.

It was also an excellent day for Williams, with Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto both securing points with finishes in P7 and P8 respectively.

Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a thrilling race

Alex Albon led a double-points finish for Williams in Baku

Williams fined by FIA

With both drivers through to Q3, as Albon pulled out of the pitlane, he was forced to stop when he realized that the team had left a bright yellow cooling fan, typically used to regulate the car's temperature in the garage, attached to the airbox inlet above his head.

With the team unable to assist, Albon attempted to remove the fan himself while remaining strapped into the cockpit.

After some struggle, he managed to detach the fan and attempted to pass it to a nearby marshal.

When no help came, he dropped the fan on the ground and resumed his lap. However, the delay meant he missed the opportunity to set a faster time, leaving him in 10th place on the grid for the race on Sunday.

The stewards promptly noted the unsafe release of Albon’s car, though the FIA later determined that Williams’ and Albon’s actions prevented further disruption to the session.