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Racing Point's Sergio Perez consigned to US Grand Prix pitlane start

Racing Point Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez will have to start the United States Grand Prix from the pitlane after failing to stop for a weighbridge check in Friday practice

Perez missed the lights calling him in for a check at the end of the Friday afternoon session, but halted briefly in the pitlane when his team told him about it.

After questioning what he should do, he was ordered to return to the garage where the team conducted a practice pitstop. Afterwards, he was wheeled back for the weight check.

F1's sporting regulations are strict in stating that any time a driver misses a weight check and their car is worked on, they must be given a mandatory pitlane start penalty.

After speaking to Perez and Racing Point at Austin on Friday night, the FIA said it had no option but to impose such a punishment on him.

A statement said: "The stewards reviewed video evidence and heard from the driver of car #11 (Sergio Perez) and the team representative and determined that the driver failed to stop for weighing when required to do so.

"Instead, he drove on and proceeded to do a pitstop where the car was worked on by lifting the car and all four wheels were changed, in breach of article 29.1 a).

"The penalty imposed is a mandatory penalty specified under the Formula 1 sporting regulations and the stewards note that they have no discretion to impose an alternative penalty."

Perez had been 14th and 15th fastest in the two Friday sessions.

Earlier this year, Pierre Gasly had to start from the pitlane in Baku after he missed a weighbridge check during Friday practice at the Azerbaijan GP when driving for Red Bull.

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