Alpine slapped with heavy fine by Chinese GP stewards

Alpine has been fined €10,000 for a pit-stop incident involving Pierre Gasly during the Chinese Grand Prix.

During a pit-stop, Gasly was given the green light to leave his box, but the right-rear tyre was not securely fastened to his A524 machine.

A team member, and the electronic systems designed to monitor the tyres both indicated that the tyre was indeed fitted, with the team stopping Gasly from going any further after it had realised the error.

During the sequence, a pit-crew member was lightly injured, but was able to continue on for the rest of the grand prix.

The stewards found it "clear" that Gasly was not at fault, deeming the team "wholly responsible for not ensuring that the car complied with conditions of eligibility and safety during the race."

Gasly finished 13th with team-mate Esteban Ocon 11th in what was Alpine's best showing of the season, with the car equipped with floor upgrades but it remains point-less after five rounds.