P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 team hit by FINE after drivers go AWOL
Aston Martin received a hefty €50,000 fine from the FIA due to Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll’s absence at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, violating fan-engagement regulations specified by the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations.
The regulation mandates that 10 drivers must be available for a fan engagement activity lasting 30 minutes each within a specific window of time before the start of FP1.
The stewards imposed the fine, with €35,000 suspended for 12 months, as Aston Martin acknowledged fault for not ensuring Alonso and Stroll’s presence at the event and failed to arrange replacements in time.
This incident highlighted the importance of fan engagement in F1, as the stewards emphasized that fans are crucial to the sport.
Aston Martin proposed a plan to engage with fans at the fan zone by distributing signed team caps and offering garage tours, leading to the suspension of a significant portion of the penalty.
Sky Sports commentator David Croft expressed surprise at the severity of the fine compared to fines for on-track incidents, such as unsafe releases by other teams, raising questions about the prioritization of penalties in F1.
