Aston Martin hit with FIA punishment after fan 'failure'

Aston Martin has been hit with a €50,000 fine after being accused by the FIA of 'failing' the fans.

On Saturday morning, drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were summoned to attend the stewards over an alleged breach of Article 19.2 C of the sporting regulations.

This covers fan engagement appearances, with both Alonso and Stroll scheduled to attend an event in the F1 Fan Zone on Friday evening at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, which was mandatory for all drivers.

However, both were a no-show, leading to the FIA taking a dim view of the situation, handing out a financial penalty of €25,000 for each driver, albeit with €15,000 each suspended for the next 12 months, provided there is no further breach of Article 19, after the team offered to make amends.

A stewards' report read: "The stewards received a report from the Media Delegate that the driver of Car 14 (Fernando Alonso), did not attend the Friday Fan Engagement activity.

"The stewards heard from the team representatives and the driver who advised that he had been told by the team that because he was not required for driving duties during FP1, he would not be required at the Fan Engagement activity and that instead, a reserve and/or other driver representing the team, would attend.

"Whilst acknowledging the obligation to appear is sometimes inconvenient to drivers, especially in cases such as this where there was a five-hour period between the Fan Engagement and FP2, the stewards also acknowledge that fans are the core of Formula 1 and the importance of this is recognised by the FIA through the inclusion of Article 19 in its Formula 1 Sporting Regulations.

"In particular, the Stewards noted the submission from Formula 1 contained in the report from the FIA Media Delegate, that many fans had waited for several hours in the heat, to see the drivers at the Fan Engagement.

"Accordingly, the non appearance was the result of a failure by the competitor, and therefore a significant fine is imposed, and it is recommended that the proceeds of this fine be allocated at the FIA’s discretion, to the encouragement of fans in this region to become involved in motorsport as officials or by engaging in grassroots motorsport activities.

"The stewards, however, have considered and accepted the proposal of the competitor to attend the fan zone this weekend and give signed team caps to all fans wearing Aston Martin apparel and to select two fans for a garage tour, view a session from the garage and meet both drivers for a photo opportunity.

"The stewards require a report from the competitor, verifying that the proposal has been implemented. In view of the above, we have decided to suspend the majority of the penalty."