FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 – Russian Grand Prix – FIA News conference – Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, Russia – September 23, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo, still on a high after his win in Italy two weeks ago, was given a reprimand on Saturday for impeding Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll during Russian Grand Prix qualifying.
Race stewards noted in a statement that the Australian had taken immediate action as soon as he was aware of the Canadian’s presence on a wet track and with heavy spray reducing visibility.
McLaren had warned Ricciardo, whose Monza win was the team’s first victory since 2012, that teammate Lando Norris was coming up behind him but were unaware that Stroll was doing consecutive fast laps and so said nothing about him.
The stewards deemed the situation bordered on ‘unnecessary impeding’ but opted for a reprimand as the most appropriate penalty.
The reprimand was a first of the season for Ricciardo, who qualified fifth while Norris took pole position — his first in Formula One.
McLaren was given an official warning.