McLaren learn stewards verdict after unusual Oscar Piastri-George Russell incident

McLaren has been fined €5,000 for an unusual pit-lane incident involving Oscar Piastri and George Russell during Dutch Grand Prix practice.

As the field returned to the pit-lane following a red flag for Alex Albon sliding wide and beaching the Williams at Turn 1, Piastri was ahead of Russell as the pair entered the pit-lane. 

However, as Piastri turned into the box, he received a signal from a McLaren mechanic, telling him to drive further on to park in front of his own garage, as Lando Norris had yet to return.

But as Piastri swung out back into the fast lane, he was unaware that Russell was close behind, with the two making minor contact, but otherwise continuing on their way. 

The incident was at first noted by the stewards, and then formally investigated, with the stewards deciding that McLaren was ultimately in breach of Article 12.2.1.h of the International Sporting Code and not Article 55.5 of the sporting regulations Piastri was originally summoned for.

In their investigation, the stewards found that Piastri's entry to the pit box was blocked by a mechanic pushing a jack, with Russell forced to take evasive action after Piastri swung back out. 

McLaren acknowledged that Piastri was not warned of Russell's presence and that it could have handled the situation differently, an assessment the stewards agreed with. 

As such, the team was fined €5,000, with Piastri receiving no sporting penalty.