Why Sainz and Leclerc escaped penalties in Monza qualifying

Formula 1 stewards determined that Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc did not drive "unnecessarily slowly" in their Italian Grand Prix qualifying investigation.

Both Ferrari drivers were flagged after Q1 for not following the race director's notes at Monza after Race Director Niels Wittich ordered all drivers to stay above a 1:41:000 lap time as to prevent dangerous backing up into the Parabolica corner which was seen throughout practice.

Sainz went onto take pole position with Leclerc less than a tenth behind in third place and after taking no further action, the stewards explained their reasons for not taking any further action.

Ferrari escapes penalty

In the investigation, the stewards found that Sainz and Leclerc "stayed at or above speeds necessary to stay below 1:41.000 around the vast majority of the circuit and especially on the straights," according to the verdict.

Both drivers "took appropriate actions" as to not impede other drivers, doing so to let four drivers past and giving them a clear track.

The stewards determined that both drivers "did not drive unnecessarily slowly" and that the reasons both did not adhere to the 1:41:000 mark was "due to their appropriate actions."