“There was a clear breach of regulations”; Ferrari have protested against Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen exit from the pit lane, claiming they failed to stay to the right of the yellow line; Perez won the race, Verstappen finished third
By Matt Morlidge in Monaco
Last Updated: 29/05/22 7:41pm
Ferrari’s team principal Mattia Binotto believes Max Verstappen broke the rules by crossing the pit lane exit line at the Monaco GP.
Ferrari’s team principal Mattia Binotto believes Max Verstappen broke the rules by crossing the pit lane exit line at the Monaco GP.
Ferrari have launched a protest against Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen at the Monaco GP, accusing Red Bull’s race winner and world champion of pit exit infringements.
Perez and Verstappen have been accused of crossing the yellow line when leaving the pits on Lap 23, trying to stay ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
Perez eventually won the race, while Verstappen finished third.
Max Verstappen appeared to get close to the yellow line when exiting the pits
Race Control didn’t launch an investigation during the Monte Carlo epic but afterwards Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto accused both drivers of a “clear rules breach”.
The FIA summons then confirmed that both Perez and Verstappen were under investigation, with a Red Bull representative called to stewards at 6.15pm UK time.
“We made the protest because we believe it was right to seek clarification,” said Binotto. “I think both Red Bulls were on the yellow line at the exit and in the past that has always been penalised with a five-second penalty.”
Binotto earlier told Sky Sports F1: “We are disappointed because we believe there was a clear breach of regulations on the two Red Bull going on the yellow line exiting the pit.
Charles Leclerc was left furious by radio calls from his Ferrari team over whether to come into the pits or not.
“I think it was not close. It was on the line and if you look at the intonation of the sporting code it is saying crossing, but we had a clarification in Turkey 2020 to avoid any discussions and if you look at the race director notes it indicates staying to the right.
“So, being on the line is breaching the race director notes and I think each single team has a duty and a task to follow the race director notes.
“So for us that is something unclear and we are still seeking clarification from the FIA and we will be happy to have as soon as possible our feedback.”
Horner had earlier told Sky F1 that he didn’t believe Verstappen would get a penalty.
“We’ve obviously had a good look at it and we’re totally happy with everything that we’ve seen,” he said.
The race directors’ notes state that: “Drivers must keep to the right of the solid yellow line at the pit exit when leaving the pits and stay to the right of this line until it finishes after Turn 1.”
More to follow.
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