Japanese GP: Ocon gets grid penalty for failing to slow for red flag
Racing Point Force India driver Esteban Ocon will drop three places on the grid for Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix for failing to slow sufficiently for red flags in practice
Ocon was adjudged to have breached red-flag rules during the third free practice session of the weekend, after Renault's Nico Hulkenberg crashed to suspend the session.
The stewards' statement explained that Ocon had been confused by Force India's system for managing pace under red flags and ended up speeding for three mini-sectors of the lap.
Ocon, who was best of the rest behind the three top teams in all three practice sessions, qualified an initial eighth in a mixed-weather Q3.
He will now drop behind Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, Force India team-mate Sergio Perez and Sauber's Charles Leclerc to start 11th.
"The driver informed the Stewards, and the telemetry showed, that he had slowed down for the red flags," the stewards' decision read.
"However, after Turn 4, he heard some beeps on the radio that suggested he was too slow and sped up briefly to regularise his speed.
"In doing so, he briefly exceeded the delta by a maximum of -1.68 [seconds] over three mini sectors.
"As a result, he had failed to maintain the speed delta required under the regulations, resulting in an infringement.
"He acknowledged the infringement and attributed it to confusion caused by the beeps and the system currently being used by the team in such situations.
"In the end, given the importance of observance of the speed restrictions while red flags are being shown and recognising the limited extend of the breach, we decided to impose the above penalty."
Ocon has also picked up two penalty points, having had none on his license for the 12-month period heading into the weekend.
Previous article
Japanese GP Q3 tactics shows Mercedes is best team - Hamilton
Next article
Sebastian Vettel 'not blaming' Ferrari for poor Suzuka qualifying
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Esteban Ocon |
| Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How crucial marginal calls will decide the Red Bull vs Mercedes battle in F1 2021
The longer Red Bull can maintain a performance edge over Mercedes, the better the odds will be in the team’s favour against the defending world champions. But as the Bahrain Grand Prix showed, many more factors will be critical in the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle
