Five F1 drivers learn stewards fate after China investigations

F1 stewards have elected to hand four F1 drivers warnings following practice start infringements ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. 

Pre-race, Nico Hulkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto, Alex Albon, and Yuki Tsunoda were noted and placed under investigation for alleged non-compliance with the race director's notes on where such starts should be carried out. 

In their investigations, the stewards found that all four drivers were out of position when conducting these practice starts, but that reconnaissance laps to the grid are treated as laps within a practice session as opposed to the race. 

None of the drivers impacted any other, and none of the starts were carried out in a dangerous manner, with the stewards determining that warnings would be a sufficient punishment.

Albon finished in ninth place, on his birthday, with Bortoleto in 17th, Hulkenberg 18th and Tsunoda in 19th following a late pit-stop for a broken front-wing replacement. 

The other driver placed under investigation was Jack Doohan for forcing Isack Hadjar off track at Turn 14 on lap 46.

The Alpine driver was hit with a 10-second time penalty during the race, with the stewards also handing him two penalty points, bringing his total to the weekend to four, following two for a botched overtake, also at Turn 14, in the Sprint. 

Doohan crossed the line in 14th place, but fell to 15th in the final classification, with Hadjar moving up one place.