Spanish GP stewards provide full explanation behind Lance Stroll 'pain' delay

The Spanish Grand Prix stewards have fully explained why Lance Stroll was only handed a warning after his delay in attending what is viewed as "a fundamental element of the regulations".

The Aston Martin driver was late for the weigh-in procedure following his exit from qualifying for the race at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, in addition, not taking the appropriate route to attend the weigh-in.

It is now known Stroll will not compete in the Spanish GP after withdrawing on medical grounds due to a wrist injury.

The stewards have confirmed in their lengthy summation that the two events were linked.

A stewards' document read: "The driver was eliminated in Q2 and was therefore required to be weighed by the technical delegate at the end of Q2.

"The race director’s event notes state cleary that: "Any driver who finished participating in the qualifying sessions after Q1 and Q2 must proceed through the pit lane directly to the FIA scales immediately after they have returned to their team's garage.

"The drivers may not drink anything or do anything which increases their weight before it is recorded by the FIA.

"It is undisputed that the driver of car 18 did not proceed through the pit lane directly to the FIA scales. We received a report from the technical delegate informing us of this.

"After receiving this report, we reviewed the video footage from the garage which showed the driver of car 18 exiting the car and leaving the garage from the back (and not proceeding through the pit lane as required).

"We accordingly summoned the driver of car 18 to a hearing before the stewards at 1745.

"We were then informed that he was not able to attend the hearing due to a medical condition.

"We postponed the hearing until the driver was medically fit and the team was able to report on his condition and thereafter participate in the hearing.

"That evening, we were informed that due to the seriousness of the medical condition, car 18 would be withdrawing from the race.

"Nevertheless, we proceeded with the hearing during the morning of the following day, on race day, and heard from the team representative then. The driver was not able to attend given the medical advice he had received.

"The Stewards were given two documents, a medical report and a letter from the driver. In the letter, the driver explained that the reason for failing to immediately attend the weighing was because he was in pain and sought urgent medical attention for the pain.

"He attended the weigh-in and the media pen as soon as he was able to, before heading to the medical centre for further evaluation.

"The medical report confirmed that there was a medical condition with the driver’s right hand and wrist requiring treatment.

"We were informed that subsequent medical tests confirmed this diagnosis and that the driver was advised not to drive and rest. The team accordingly withdrew Car 18 for the driver being unfit through injury.

"Turning now to the alleged infringement, it is clear that the driver did not comply with the relevant regulations by not proceeding for weighing through the pit lane as required and by not getting weighed immediately.

"The weighing procedures are a fundamental element of the regulations designed to ensure sporting fairness and equity. They need to be complied with strictly. Failure to do so could result in serious consequences, including a disqualification.

"Here, the imposition of any of these penalties was rendered unnecessary due to the withdrawal of car 18 from the race.

"In this case, we accept that the reason for the failure to comply was an unexpected  and serious intervening medical condition. The health of the driver is, of course, paramount.

"Having said that, given the importance of the weighing procedure, the team ought to have immediately informed the relevant FIA delegates of the situation so that the appropriate assistance could have been rendered and any required observation of the driver could have been carried out with the benefit of the FIA team.

"We accordingly administer a warning to the team for the future to ensure that the FIA delegate(s) are promptly informed of any unforeseen circumstances which might delay/prevent the driver from complying with the regulations."