On Friday at Spa-Francorchamps, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo were handed out fines for speeding in the pit lane. But the FIA has gone back on their self-imposed decisions during the first free practice for the Belgian Grand Prix. A remarkable decision by the motorsport federation.
Because Verstappen, Perez and Ricciardo drove just one tenth of a kilometre per hour too fast (80.1 km/h instead of 80.0 km/h), the fine came out not to be as expensive. For every time the drivers drove 80.1 kilometres per hour, the FIA fined them 100 euros. It will not have been the biggest concern for the constructors, but the fines were thus withdrawn.
Verstappen drove the fast through the pit lane at 14:23. Teammate Perez did so a little earlier at 14:16. And Ricciardo, who actually did it twice, drove 0.1 kilometres per hour too fast at times 14:10 and 14:20. Incidentally, the FIA did not release a reason why the fines towards the Red Bull drivers and Ricciardo were withdrawn.