Bahrain GP: Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli hit with one-place grid penalty for qualifying breach

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have been given one-place grid penalties for leaving their garages too early throughout qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Russell will now begin Sunday’s race in Sakhir from third behind pole-sitter Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, with Pierre Gasly in fourth and Antonelli in fifth.

The Mercedes duo had been launched early in Q2 earlier than the session restarted following Esteban Ocon’s heavy crash at Flip 3.

An announcement from the stewards defined: “The team representative, Mr Shovlin, in evidence stated that he gave the instruction for the cars to be released in error having misinterpreted the message posted on page three of the timing screen – ‘estimated restart time’ – to be a message advising the actual restart time.

“He argued that there was no sporting benefit gained on this case as there was ample time remaining [11 minutes] for different groups to carry out their run plans.

“It was additionally famous that the workforce’s sporting director, Mr Meadows, was not current on the occasion and that usually he can be concerned within the launch course of.

“The FIA single seater sporting director acknowledged that such a transfer might be a sporting benefit in that it may allow a workforce to carry out its run plan whereas different groups might not be capable of.

“The stewards agree with this view, particularly where there are only a few minutes remaining in the session.

“The FIA sporting director argued that there wanted to be a sporting penalty slightly than a workforce positive, in any other case in future groups would launch their automobiles as quickly because the estimated restart time was revealed. The stewards agree with this view.

“Mr Shovlin argued that it was potential to provide a non-sporting penalty if the stewards declared that it was to not be taken as a precedent but additionally acknowledged that if a sporting penalty was to be given, it must be mitigated.

“The stewards agreed with the view that this breach required a sporting penalty, however accept that the breach was unintentional and a genuine mistake by the team, for which Mr Shovlin apologised.

“We determine to impose a one-position grid penalty.

“A similar breach in different circumstances could entail a more severe sporting penalty in future.”

Wolff: There is not any precedent for this case

Previous to the grid penalty announcement, Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff stated there was no precedent for this case.

“There’s no precedent. It’s a new rule in that sense, and we’re going to see what the stewards say,” Wolff informed Sky Sports activities F1.

“I would hope that it’s not the drivers who are penalised for it. It was a team mistake. We jumped the gun here.”

Russell added: “I’ve never even heard of a provisional message before. It’s usually the timing comes up, and as teams you’re always ready and waiting to get that restart time because it’s a rush out of the pits. And as soon as we saw that time, we went for it. And then as soon as we were there, we saw that it said an ‘expected restart time’.

“I imply it was 12 minutes to go in Q2. It might be fairly ridiculous should you get a penalty. However should you get a €20k penalty for being on the bathroom, then who is aware of what the penalty [will be].”

Sky Sports activities F1’s Bahrain GP schedule

Sunday April 13

• 10.50am: F3 Characteristic Race
• 12.20pm: F2 Characteristic Race
• 2.30pm: Bahrain GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
• 4pm: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
• 6pm: Bahrain GP response: Chequered Flag
• 7pm: Ted’s Pocket book

Components 1 continues its triple-header in Sakhir on the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime