Red Bull Racing’s drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, faced fines totaling €200 for minor speed violations during the first practice session (FP1) of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, held at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. The fines were imposed after both drivers exceeded the pit lane speed limit by a marginal 0.1 km/h, a breach of the stringent Formula 1 sporting rules.
During FP1, the pit lane speed was set at 80 km/h according to the F1 regulations. Both Verstappen and Perez were found guilty of slightly surpassing this limit, resulting in a firm €100 fine per incident by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), under Article 34.7 of the F1 sporting regulations.
Despite the financial penalties, three-time champion Max Verstappen showed exceptional form on the track, finishing atop the FP1 timing sheets. Clocking a time of 1:44.372 on soft tires, he led his nearest rival, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, by over half a second. Other top performers included Williams’ Alex Albon and Mercedes duo George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who all showcased competitive times during the session.
However, the weekend’s outlook for Verstappen became slightly complicated as he also faces a 10-place grid penalty on race day. This penalty is due to his usage of an additional internal combustion engine (ICE), his fifth for the season, exceeding the permitted limit. Similarly, VCARB driver Yuki Tsunoda will start from the back of the grid after his team fitted new power unit elements in his car.
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Daniel Ricciardo was also fined for a similar pit lane speed limit violation during the same session.
The third and final practice session will take place on Saturday followed by Qualifying for the Grand Prix on Sunday.
2024 Belgian Grand Prix FP1 Results
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:43.372
2. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.531
3. Alex Albon Williams +0.727
4. George Russell Mercedes +0.853
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.907
6. Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.934
7. Sergio Perez Red Bull +0.957
8. Lando Norris McLaren +1.043
9. Carlos Sainz Ferrari +1.202
10. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.327
11. Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.461
12. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.549
13. Daniel Ricciardo VCARB +1.578
14. Valtteri Bottas Sauber +1.783
15. Logan Sargeant Williams +1.939
16. Yuki Tsunoda VCARB +2.192
17. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +2.273
18. Kevin Magnussen Haas +2.440
19. Zhou Guanyu Sauber +2.623
20. Esteban Ocon Alpine No time
2024 Belgian Grand Prix FP2 Results
1. Lando Norris McLaren 1:42.260
2. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.215
3. Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.217
4. Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.577
5. Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.838
6. George Russell Mercedes +1.030
7. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.141
8. Kevin Magnussen Haas +1.225
9. Sergio Perez Red Bull +1.244
10. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +1.259
11. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.272
12. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.278
13. Valtteri Bottas Sauber +1.415
14. Daniel Ricciardo VCARB +1.563
15. Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.569
16. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +1.586
17. Alexander Albon Williams +1.632
18. Logan Sargeant Williams +1.966
19. Guanyu Zhou Sauber +2.042
20. Yuki Tsunoda VCARB +2.088
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
