FIA announce late penalty verdict at Chinese Grand Prix following a…read more
The FIA has announced a late penalty verdict following a dramatic incident during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend. The Shanghai International Circuit hosted the first Sprint race of the 2025 season on Saturday, which saw Lewis Hamilton claim victory in a Ferrari for the first time. The 100km Sprint event proved to be full of excitement and unexpected turns. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, after a disappointing home race in Melbourne, managed to redeem himself by finishing in second place. Piastri’s strong performance included a brilliant overtake on Max Verstappen with just four laps remaining, which helped him secure a podium finish.
However, the Sprint race wasn’t without its share of controversy. A bizarre incident involving Alpine driver Jack Doohan occurred right at the end of the 19-lap event, causing further drama. Following an investigation into the incident, the FIA handed Doohan a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points after the Australian driver collided with Gabriel Bortoleto. The collision occurred when Doohan made an ambitious attempt to overtake Bortoleto’s Sauber at Turn 14 on the final lap of the race.
According to the FIA’s investigation, Doohan locked up at the apex while attempting the overtake and made contact with Bortoleto. The stewards immediately summoned both drivers, along with their team representatives, to discuss the incident. In addition, they reviewed the in-car footage to better understand what happened during the crucial moment. During the hearing, Doohan explained that he felt the two Haas cars ahead of him had compromised his overtaking opportunity. However, the stewards concluded that Doohan did not have the right to the corner and should have backed off instead of making the risky move.
After considering all the evidence, the stewards decided to impose the standard 10-second penalty on Doohan. As a result, his position in the Sprint race was revised, and he was classified in 20th place. Additionally, the penalty included two points on his Super License, a sanction that further penalizes the Australian driver for the incident. This decision has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some suggesting that the collision was a result of overly ambitious driving and poor racecraft.
The penalty verdict was officially communicated after a thorough investigation by the FIA, following a review of all available evidence. The decision to penalize Doohan reflects the governing body’s commitment to maintaining fairness and safety in Formula 1, ensuring that drivers adhere to the rules of racing, particularly in high-pressure situations like the final laps of a race. Despite the penalty, the incident has raised questions about the aggressive driving tactics seen during the Sprint event, with many pointing to the increasing risks associated with the shorter format.
Overall, the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint race delivered significant action, both on and off the track, with Hamilton taking a memorable victory, Piastri putting in an impressive performance, and Doohan’s penalty adding to the controversy. While the race was a thrilling spectacle for fans, the incident involving Doohan serves as a reminder of the fine line between bravery and recklessness in the world of Formula 1 racing.
