F1 star hit with EXISTENTIAL FIA penalty after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

An image of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 star hit with EXISTENTIAL FIA penalty after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

A Formula 1 star will escape a penalty after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Monday 9 December 2024 02:30

The FIA have handed out a penalty to a Formula 1 star, despite the fact that he may never serve it.

Abu Dhabi saw the 2024 season close in style, with a chaotic race around the Yas Marina circuit rounding out the longest year in F1 history.

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Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri couldn’t even make it past the first corner before they collided, in a terrible start to the Abu Dhabi GP.

The champion was subsequently awarded a 10-second time penalty for the incident, which was served during his pitstop.

Max Verstappen collided with Oscar Piastri during the Abu Dhabi GP

The Abu Dhabi GP saw several penalties awarded

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix sees multiple penalties awarded

The incident forced Colapinto to retire in his final race with Williams, and it is unconfirmed whether the Argentine will return to the F1 grid.

Multiple other drivers also competed in their last F1 race, including Kevin Magnussen and Valtteri Bottas who failed to acquire a seat for 2025.

However, Bottas was dealt a penalty after an incident with Magnussen during the race where the pair collided, and the Finn retired in his last outing.

A penalty would usually be served during the race, but as a result of Bottas’ DNF the it was carried over into a future event.

The Sauber driver was awarded a five-place grid drop for the next race that he partakes in, alongside three extra penalty points which were applied to his Super Licence.