Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been spared punishment for inflicting hurt to Lando Norris throughout dash qualifying for the F1 Chinese language Grand Prix.
Antonelli is going through a stewards investigation into whether or not he obstructed Norris at Flip 1 in SQ2, and was vulnerable to receiving a grid penalty after locking out the Mercedes entrance row once more in dash qualifying.
Nevertheless, the stewards cleared Antonelli of any wrongdoing after the McLaren driver admitted he was not interfered with as a result of he was doing a “push warm-up lap” relatively than a push lap.
“The Stewards have heard from the motive force of automobile No. 12 (Kimi Antonelli), the motive force of automobile 1 (Lando Norris), group principals, video, telemetry, group radio and in-car video proof,” the stewards famous.
“The driving force of automobile 1 (Lando Norris) mentioned he was doing a ‘push warm-up lap’ as an alternative of a push lap. In different phrases, when the No. 12 automobile (Kimi Antonelli) got here onto the monitor from the pit lane, he wasn’t actively attempting to report a significant lap time.
“If automobile No. 1 had carried out a push lap, automobile No. 12 would have unnecessarily obstructed automobile No. 1, given automobile No. 12’s place on the monitor.
“We took no additional motion given our clear place that the motive force of automobile No. 1 was not making an attempt to report a significant lap time and due to this fact was not interfered with by automobile No. 12.”
The decision means Antonelli will maintain his place on the P2 beginning grid for Saturday’s dash race.
Antonelli misplaced dash pole place to Mercedes teammate George Russell by 0.289 seconds.
Reigning world champion Norris will line up from third, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton becoming a member of him on the second row.
McLaren group principal Andrea Stella mentioned he didn’t count on Antonelli to be penalized earlier than the choice was introduced.
“Truly, it wasn’t clear whether or not I used to be going to do a warm-up lap or a push lap,” Stella informed Sky Sports activities F1.
“On the finish of the day, I don’t assume it was a quick lap due to the best way he used his vitality, however let’s see what the stewards say. They may take into account it.”
