An F1 driver could face a potential penalty after the FIA were informed of an alleged rare rule breach during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix
Reigning F1 champion and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took pole from McLaren’s Lando Norris with the fastest lap in Formula 1 history in qualifying on Saturday, while Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton made up the first five on the grid.
Despite finishing fifth in qualifying, Hamilton will begin Sunday’s Grand Prix 10th after being handed a five-place penalty for failing to slow under double yellow flags before the start of the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend.
Meanwhile, another driver could be set to be sanctioned ahead of tomorrow’s Grand Prix in Monza, Italy.
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Alpine driver Pierre Gasly has enjoyed limited success in the 2025 campaign and currently sits 14th out of 21 drivers in the standings.
On Saturday, he finished 19th in qualifying, meaning he will have an uphill task to get among the points in Lombardy.
And his lowly grid position may not be the only thing that goes against him, as Gasly may face a potential penalty after the FIA were alerted to an unusual breach following qualifying.
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As reported by Planet F1, Formula 1 technical delegate Jo Bauer informed the FIA that Alpine failed to cover Gasly’s car two hours after the end of Q3 in Italy, with the case now referred to the stewards.
Bauer wrote: “The BWT Alpine Formula One Team did not cover car number 10 two hours after the chequered flag of the third qualifying session.
“As this is not in compliance with Article 40.6 of the 2025 Formula One Sporting Regulations, I am referring this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.”
Article 40.6 states that all cars “must be covered and ready for FIA seals to be applied” unless the deadline has been officially extended.
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The article also says that “the relevant driver will be penalised by a single penalty”, although the exact penalty is not clear according to the regulations.
After qualifying, Gasly admitted that he knew it was going to be a “tricky one”.
The Alpine driver said: “I tried with three sets [of tyres] in Q1. Just a bit of a shame on my last attempt, I didn’t have the cleanest run.”
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He added: “It doesn’t mean that we’re giving up – we’re still fighting and trying – but just being aware that there’s no need for any frustration to build up, because we’re going to close the book at the end of the year and open a new one.”
Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Alpine announced that the 29-year-old Frenchman had signed a new deal with the manufacturer, keeping him with the team until 2028.
Luke Davies