The Stewards reviewed video evidence and found that Car 20 braked late at turn 11 and went off the track. This resulted in Car 44, with whom Car 20 was fighting for position on track, having to leave the track as well. Car 44 got back to the track quickly but Car 20 continued off track and thereby stayed ahead of Car 44.
This was the third instance of Car 20 leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage. We considered the penalty guidelines for such infringements which provide a baseline of a 10 second penalty with zero penalty points.
However, the guidelines also state:
“The points indicated are intended to be the norm for a particular offence. The Stewards may vary these, taking into account mitigating or aggravating circumstances. However, the authority of the Stewards to increase the points assessed is intended to be used only in exceptional circumstances.”
Taking into account the fact that this was the third instance of leaving the track and gaining an advantage in a single session, which we considered to be an aggravating circumstance, we impose 3 penalty points.
