F1 News: Red Bull hit with unexpected fines at Belgian Grand Prix

Red Bull Racing drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have been handed fines totalling €200 for minor speeding offences during the first practice session (FP1) of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. The fines were imposed after both drivers exceeded the pit lane speed limit by a marginal 0.1 km/h, in breach of strict Formula 1 sporting regulations.

During FP1, the pit lane speed was set at 80 km/h under F1 regulations. Both Verstappen and Perez were found guilty of slightly exceeding this limit, resulting in the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) issuing a hefty €100 fine for the incident under Article 34.7 of the F1 Sporting Regulations.

Despite the financial penalties, three-time champion Max Verstappen showed exceptional form on track to finish top of the FP1 timesheets. A time of 1:44.372 on the soft tyres saw him beat his nearest rival, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, by over half a second. Other top performers included Williams’ Alex Albon and Mercedes duo George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who all posted competitive times during the session.

However, Verstappen’s weekend prospects have become somewhat complicated as he also faces a 10-place grid penalty on race day, a penalty stemming from his use of an additional internal combustion engine (ICE) in excess of the permitted limit, his fifth of the season. Similarly, VCARB driver Yuki Tsunoda will start from the back of the grid after his team fitted new power unit components to his car.

Daniel Ricciardo was also fined for a similar speed breach in the pit lane during the same session.

The third and final practice session will take place on Saturday, followed by qualifying for the Grand Prix on Sunday.

FP1 Results Belgian Grand Prix 2024

1. Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:43.372
2. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.531
3. Alex Albon Williams +0.727
4. George Russell Mercedes +0.853
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.907
6. Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.934
7. Sergio Perez Red Bull +0.957
8. Lando Norris McLaren +1,043
9. Carlos Sainz Ferrari +1.202
10. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1,327
11. Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.461
12. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1,549
13. Daniel Ricciardo VCARB +1,578
14. Valtteri Bottas Sauber +1,783
15. Logan Sergeant Williams +1,939
16. Yuki Tsunoda VCARB +2,192
17. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +2.273
18. Kevin Magnussen Haas +2,440
19. Zhou Guanyu Sauber +2.623
20. Esteban Ocon Alpine No Time

FP2 Results Belgian Grand Prix 2024

1. Lando Norris McLaren 1:42.260
2. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.215
3. Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.217
4. Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.577
5. Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.838
6. George Russell Mercedes +1,030
7. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.141
8. Kevin Magnussen Haas +1,225
9. Sergio Perez Red Bull +1,244
10. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +1,259
11. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1,272
12. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1,278
13. Valtteri Bottas Sauber +1.415
14. Daniel Ricciardo VCARB +1,563
15. Pierre Gasly Alpine +1,569
16. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +1.586
17. Alexander Albon Williams +1,632
18. Logan Sergeant Williams +1,966
19. Guanyu Zhou Sauber +2.042
20. Yuki Tsunoda VCARB +2,088