Esteban Ocon learns fate after Silverstone qualifying investigation

Esteban Ocon has avoided a penalty following an investigation for an alleged yellow flag infringement during qualifying for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The incident occurred on Saturday after Franco Colapinto suffered a huge spin at Turn 15, which brought out yellow flags in the sector.

Ocon, who appeared not to slow sufficiently in the affected area, was subsequently noted by the stewards for a potential breach of yellow flag regulations.

The Haas driver visited the stewards to give his side of the story, and after reviewing the evidence, the stewards opted to take no further action against the Frenchman.

Ocon will therefore retain his 17th place position and take to the grid as originally classified for Sunday's race.

The stewards' document read: “The driver explained that, before Turn 10, he observed white smoke further ahead and was therefore already anticipating that a yellow or possibly a red flag might be displayed. 

“He saw the illuminated yellow light panel on the right-hand side approaching Turn 12 and reacted by lifting off the throttle earlier than on a comparable representative lap and remaining off-throttle for a longer period.

“The telemetry confirmed that the driver lifted earlier, applied greater brake pressure than on his comparable fast lap (Lap 6), and demonstrated a discernible reduction in speed through the relevant yellow flag marshalling sector compared with that representative lap under similar conditions. 

“The Stewards noted that the driver was on a run on new soft tyres and, prior to the yellow flag sector, had been improving on his Lap 6 time in several mini-sectors, making the reduction in speed through the yellow flag sector more evident. 

“The Stewards were therefore satisfied that the driver had demonstrably reduced speed in the relevant marshalling sector and had complied with the requirements of Article B1.8.4 a) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations and Article 2.5.5 b) of Appendix H to the FIA International Sporting Code.

“Accordingly, no breach was established and no further action was taken.”