Stewards issue Lawson a 5-second penalty for Brazil GP collision
Liam Lawson has been penalised with a 5-second time penalty for his collision with Oliver Bearman.
At the start of the race, Lawson and Bearman were battling for what was then P18. The battle had a couple of on-grass action until it resulted in a collision that sent Bearman spinning coming out of Turn 4.
The Stewards having judged the incident saw fit to penalise the Racing Bulls driver with a 5-second time penalty and a point added on his license.
The Stewrads said: "The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 30 (Liam Lawson), the driver of Car 87 (Oliver Bearman), the team representatives, and reviewed video and in-car video evidence.
"On the first lap, Car 30 (LAW) attempted to overtake Car 87 (BEA) on the inside (left-hand side) while approaching and through Turn 4. After the apex, as both cars were exiting the corner, there was contact between the two cars.
"In Turn 4, Car 30, slightly offset alongside Car 87, moved slightly to the right, while Car 87, following the natural line of the left-hand corner, turned slightly towards Car 30. As a result, the left rear wheel of Car 87 became entangled with the right front wheel of Car 30, causing Car 87 to spin. Both cars were able to continue the race thereafter."
FIA Stewards don't have clarity
Though the Stewards have admitted to not being sure if the New Zealand born driver's overtake attempt was within the regulations, they can't prove it wasn't.
The Stewards added: "Video evidence from circuit cameras and onboard footage did not clearly establish whether the front axle of Car 30 was at least momentarily alongside the rear-view mirror of Car 87 prior to the apex, let alone whether this overlap was maintained at the apex — as would be required under the Driving Standards Guidelines for an overtaking car on the inside to be entitled to racing room."
Lawson predominantly at fault
Lawson stated he had understeered as a result for his going over the wet grass in the previous instance of their first lap battle, something that did not alter the Stewarding body's reasoning.
"The Stewards determined that Car 30 (LAW) was predominantly to blame for the collision.
However, the Stewards take into account the track conditions, the fact that LAW had colder damp tyres, and the fact that his front axle was almost alongside the mirror of Car 87, and consider these as mitigating circumstances. The Stewards therefore apply a reduction of the standard penalty of 10 seconds to 5 seconds, combined with 1 penalty point.
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