F1 news: Ferrari hit with FIA summons after Chinese Grand Prix sprint qualifying…readmore 

Ferrari and Aston Martin Drivers Summoned by FIA for Alleged Slow Driving in Sprint Qualifying
The FIA has summoned Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll to meet with the stewards after both were accused of driving excessively slowly during the sprint qualifying session at the Chinese Grand Prix. This breach could potentially lead to grid penalties for both drivers.
The issue arose following the first session of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, when the FIA had introduced a new regulation aimed at maintaining the flow of qualifying sessions. According to the governing body, all drivers must adhere to specific lap time restrictions during warm-up and cool-down laps. The rule, which was made mandatory for all drivers ahead of both Friday’s sprint qualifying and Saturday’s feature race qualifying, aims to ensure that drivers are not unnecessarily impeding those on flying laps.
The regulation stipulates that drivers must not exceed a maximum lap time of 1:54.0 between the safety car lines as shown on the pit lane drawing. This is designed to prevent cars from being driven too slowly during periods when pit exits are open, whether it is for the sprint or the main race. By enforcing this rule, the FIA hopes to eliminate any hindrance to other drivers who may be trying to set competitive lap times.
Both Leclerc and Stroll have been accused of not complying with this rule, as they allegedly drove below the allowed pace during the sprint qualifying session. This would be considered an infraction of the regulation, which could potentially lead to penalties that would affect their starting positions in the upcoming race. The FIA’s decision to summon both drivers indicates a serious approach to tackling this issue and ensuring that the competition remains fair and uninterrupted.
The governing body’s move reflects its continued efforts to manage the dynamics of qualifying sessions effectively. By preventing cars from driving unnecessarily slowly, the FIA ensures that the process remains efficient, minimizing delays for all participants. The stewards will now examine the situation and decide if any sanctions, including grid penalties, are warranted for the drivers involved.
As the weekend progresses, both Leclerc and Stroll will await the stewards’ verdict on the alleged breach, with the potential for significant consequences depending on their findings. The case highlights the FIA’s focus on maintaining the integrity of race weekends and ensuring that all drivers follow the same rules for the fairness of the competition.