FIA, the Formula 1 authoritative body, has started an investigation following Alpine’s Esteban Ocon’s pit break on the last lap of Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix led to different mechanics and photographers jumping out of his path. Esteban Ocon was recklessly driving and drove past them in a similar manner.
Ocon didn’t pay till that point, and a change of tires was necessary.
FIA to investigate Esteban Ocon’s risky Pitlane incident
Few people were already there at the Pitlane when Esteban Ocon’s car reached the spot. Sky Sports Commentators termed the scene to be “an absolute shambles.” An FIA spokesman confirmed that the matter was looked into.
The photographers clustered in front of the ‘parc ferme’ space in the Pitlane, the parking spot for the top three finishers after slowing down lap, and the mechanics were celebrating on the pit wall.
Niels Wittich, the Race director, warned the teams in the previous race in Australia that they risked punishment if case personnel climbed the pit wall started with celebration as their drivers took the chequered flag.
What did Christian Horner say?
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said,
“The regulations, I think, are quite clear. The team manager had discussed it with the mechanics before the race.”
His drivers, Sergio Perez, and Max Verstappen, finished in the respective spots of first and second.
Horner further added,
“I think if you look, they’ve got all their feet in contact with the concrete of the pit wall.
It’s crazy when we’re getting into regulating where the feet of the mechanics are. Esteban is within his rights to pit on the last lap and finishes the race in the Pitlane if he wants to.
That’s something that the FIA needs to perhaps polish a little better before the end of a race.”
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