(Motorsports news) Haas examined onboard footage, including images from following cars, and believes Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, Alex Albon, and Logan Sargeant all committed repeated violations at Turn 6 that went unpunished. The original FIA stewards of the event will assess the review request during an online meeting on Wednesday.
Their first step will be to determine if Haas’s request meets all of the criteria, including presenting a “significant and relevant new element” that was not previously available. If they agree that the request is valid, they will review the facts and make a decision. “It’s just a review,” Steiner said. “There is a rule in place. After all, if the stewards didn’t have the information, they couldn’t take anything. I completely understand.
“But there is information, and Haas will see what the FIA does once they get it.” I believe they must act, because otherwise we write rules and then do nothing about it. That is my point of view. “OK, I fully understand that if they didn’t see the pictures, how can they rule this definitively?” But now we have definitive proof. “Haas just want to bring it up because otherwise we’ll have to change the rules.” To be honest, I’m not a big fan of track restrictions.
“I’m the last person who wants penalties for exceeding track limits.” But if there is a regulation in existence, we as a sport must obey the rule, which is more important than the penalty.” All four drivers cited in the right of review request finished ahead of Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg, albeit by only a few seconds in the instance of Albon and Sargeant. Steiner, on the other hand, minimized any potential impact on the findings.
“I don’t think the penalty will make a difference to us where we are, at the moment,” he told reporters. “But, in the end, we just have to follow the rules; we can’t apply the rule sometimes and not other times.” It’s not by choice; a rule exists, and if the rule needs to be changed, let’s talk about it; if track restrictions need to be changed, let’s talk about it.
“But not if it’s written that four times you get five seconds and any subsequent [offenses] get another five seconds; that’s what we should do.” Just like we did before. It’s not like we’re coming up with something new. Haas will make the case if we can make the case,” he added, “because they should hear it because there is new evidence.” So, when we get to it, we’ll make our case.”
After the race, other teams questioned the use of track limitations at Turn 6. The FIA’s position, which was reiterated at the following race in Mexico, was that the CCTV didn’t provide a clear enough view for valid evaluations. However, certain offenses at that intersection were flagged. The FIA has already agreed to improve the system for next year’s race at COTA’s Turn 6.
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