British Grand Prix: Pierre Gasly 'extremely confused' how Lance Stroll escaped punishment for overtake at Silverstone
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ByEurosport
Published 10/07/2023 at 09:59 GMT
It was another successful day for Red Bull and Max Verstappen as the reigning world champion extended his lead at the top of the driver's championship with victory at the British Grand Prix. However, there was controversy when Lance Stroll escaped punishment for what looked to be an illegal overtake on Pierre Gasly. "I'm extremely confused by what's going on," Gasly said afterwards.
'It wasn't a fantastic start' says Verstappen after taking 6th straight win at British GP
Pierre Gasly says he "is extremely confused" why the FIA stewards did not punish Lance Stroll for a potentially illegal overtake at the British Grand Prix.
Towards the end of the first lap after the safety car restart in the second half of the race, Stroll launched an attack on Gasly on the outside.
Stroll completed the pass for 11th place on the exit of the corner with all four wheels over the white line.
The Aston Martin driver had his lap time deleted and received a warning flag, but he was allowed to keep his position which angered Gasly.
After the race, the Alpine driver said: “I got done 15 seconds last weekend for track limits, now I lose a position today for someone getting off the track, and nothing happens.
"In Formula 2, Victor Martins was in the lead and got a five-second penalty for the exact same thing.
“I’m just extremely confused with what’s going on at the moment.”
Gasly said that the FIA had previously made it clear that drivers who go off-track to complete a pass are obliged to return the position.
“That’s how I’ve been taught racing by the FIA,” said Gasly.
“I’ve paid the price in different situations. It’s just not fair, not having that consistency.
“Now next race I’m supposing that going off the race track overtaking someone is allowed. And then all of a sudden you’re going to end up with a five-second penalty.
“I just can’t understand, and it just doesn’t seem fair. It’s black and white, track limits. Black and white. You’re either on the track or off the track.
“If you’re off the race track gaining an advantage that’s a five-second penalty or give the position back.”
Gasly says he will be seeking answers from the FIA.
“It’s got to be crystal clear,” he said.
“We’re racing at 350km/h. Last week we got penalised for stuff where we feel like we’re not getting the warning properly, and this situation for me, as soon as I saw him going off the race track, I was like, ‘He’ll give the position back’.
“I spent three laps behind him losing time on his gearbox when I should not be there.
“I’m just asking for consistency. If that’s allowed, fine – but it’s got to be allowed for everyone.”
Stroll said he could not understand why he was warned for the first incident, and given a five-second time penalty for the second when he drove off the circuit through the Vale chicane and broke Gasly's right rear suspension when he rejoined it. Alpine were forced into a double DNF after Esteban Ocon suffered a hydraulics leak early on.
“He gave me no room and just pushed me off the track [both times],” Stroll said. “I got a track limits for one, when I was forced wide. And then the next time I passed him again I was given no room.”
Asked who was at fault for the collision, Stroll said: "Well, if I was given more room I wouldn’t have had to come back on the track and we wouldn’t have touched. So you can decide.”
Gasly finished the race in 18th while Stroll took 14th.
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