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Oscar Piastri

Piastri learns stewards' verdict after bizarre pre-race incident

Oscar Piastri spent his entire Qatar Grand Prix under a cloud ahead of an already-confirmed investigation into his pre-race antics.

Piastri
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Oscar Piastri has not been punished by the FIA stewards at the Qatar Grand Prix after a strange moment prior to the start of the race at the Lusail International Circuit.

Having reviewed all relevant footage and heard from Piastri himself, the stewards opted to let the 23-year-old off with a warning.

The McLaren driver was seen speeding past Lewis Hamilton and another car heading into the pit lane after his installation lap, coming close to contact as he swerved between the slower moving cars.

It prompted the seven-time F1 drivers' champion to radio in to Mercedes, saying: "Piastri just overtook in the pit lane entry. Attacking the white line."

To which his engineer, Peter Bonnington, replied: "Okay. Copy. Saw that."

The stewards evidently saw it too, with an investigation into the matter confirmed for after the grand prix before the green lights had even gone out.

As expected, the Australian was summoned for his reconnaissance lap antics, as confirmed after the chequered flag.

The official reason given for the warning, as per the decision document, is below.

Official stewards' reason for Piastri warning

"The driver explained the two cars in front of him were travelling very slowly and he wished to overtake them.

The team provided telemetry evidence that Car 81 was not travelling at excessive speed and that the driver was in control at all times.

"Although the manoeuvre appeared erratic on the video, we did not determine that it was dangerous. However such erratic manoeuvres should be avoided, hence the penalty of a formal warning is applied."

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RESULTS 2024 F1 Qatar Grand Prix