F1 star hit with massive FIA penalty at US Grand Prix

Verstappen and Lawson together — Photo: © IMAGO

United States Grand Prix

F1 star hit with massive FIA penalty at US Grand Prix

An F1 star is set for a major US GP blow

By Sheona Mountford.

Saturday 19 October 2024 04:00

The FIA have handed out their first penalty of the US Grand Prix weekend, with a star driver set to start from the back of the grid.

Red Bull were investigated by the FIA when teams arrived in Austin after teams complained about a device which appeared to make it technically possible to alter their car under parc ferme conditions.

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As a result the FIA will monitor what teams are doing closely, and look set to add a seal to the Red Bull car to ensure nothing in the car can be moved during parc ferme conditions.

Following FP1 at COTA, FIA personnel were spotted inspecting the Red Bull in the garage as a mechanic demonstrated how they made the adjustments on the car.

Red Bull has come under scrutiny at COTA

The FIA have monitored the Red Bull closely at COTA

Red Bull star receives US GP blow

The New Zealander was announced as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement at RB after the Singapore GP, following a difficult season for the 35-year-old.

Lawson will not only have to prove himself against his team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, but will be also eyeing up a chance to replace Sergio Perez and race alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull.

However, for his first race back Lawson will receive a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, motor generator unit-heat, motor generator unit-kinetic, energy store and control electronics, which all exceed the allotted allowance the RB was given this season.

The FIA have deemed these changes to ‘not be in conformity with Article 28.2 of the 2024 Formula 1 Sporting Regulations’ and is likely to receive a grid-drop akin to the one his team-mate Tsunoda received at the Belgian GP.

Red Bull FIA COTA