P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Aston Martin hit with FIA punishment after fan ‘failure’
Aston Martin received a €50,000 fine from the FIA for allegedly ‘failing’ the fans by not attending a fan engagement event at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
Drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were summoned by the stewards for violating Article 19.2 C of the sporting regulations related to fan engagement appearances.
Both drivers were absent from the mandatory event, resulting in the penalty, with €15,000 of the fine suspended for 12 months if no further breaches occur.
The stewards acknowledged the importance of fan engagement in Formula 1 and the inconvenience to drivers, but deemed the non-appearance as a failure by the team, warranting the penalty.
Aston Martin offered to make amends by attending the fan zone this weekend and providing signed team caps to fans, leading to the suspension of most of the penalty.
