via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 28, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen reacts after the qualifier Pool via REUTERS/Christian Bruna
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 28, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen reacts after the qualifier Pool via REUTERS/Christian Bruna
On Saturday, the Ferrari F1 team had locked out the front row of the grid with hometown hero Charles Leclerc in pole position and Carlos Sainz just behind him in second. But it all started to unravel pretty quickly after one strategic blunder after another. After pitting Leclerc for the second time, they not only lost the lead of the race but their bad call led to Leclerc tumbling down to P4, after Max Verstappen’s pit stop.
🚨 Ferrari has protested Max Verstappen’s third-place finish in Monaco for a pit exit infringement 😬 #MonacoGP #F1
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) May 29, 2022
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But the team protested to the FIA about the manner in which Verstappen exited the pitlane. They are seeking clarification from the FIA on the regulations of exiting the pit lane.
Ferrari F1 protest the controversial pit lane exit from Max Verstappen in Monaco
It seemed like the Red Bull driver had crossed the line of the pit lane before rejoining ahead of Leclerc. Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto revealed that Verstappen may have been on the line and breached the FIA regulations.
They have a case. https://t.co/DkGZW1B15E pic.twitter.com/VxNOrk84VM
— Ky (@FiftyBucksVT) May 29, 2022
“I think it was not close. He was on the line. If you look at the international sporting code, it’s the wording. It says crossing, but then we had a clarification in 30.20.20 to avoid any discussions. And if you look at the race driver note, it’s indicated staying to the right,” said the Ferrari team principal.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – May 22, 2022, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto Pool via REUTERS/Manu Fernandez
“So being on the line is breaching the race director notes. And I think that each single team has the duty and the task to follow the race directors now so for us, that’s something unclear we are still seeking for clarification from the FIA, and we’re happy to have it as soon as possible,” said Binotto.
READ MORE: Which Teams Use Ferrari Engines in F1?
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If Max is found to be guilty of breaching the regulations and crossing the line, he may have a penalty coming his way. That might impact the result of the race significantly, as he might even lose his podium position. Moreover, Max’s teammate, Sergio Perez, has also been summoned by the stewards for the same offense. So let’s see what the FIA decides.
WATCH THE STORY: Ferrari Strategy Fails We Will Never Forget
