Mazepin sanctioned for hindering Norris in Q1

Found guilty of obstructing the progress of Lando Norris (McLaren) during qualifying for the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix, Nikita mazepin was penalized with a drop of 3 places on the Barcelona grid. The pilot Haas also receives a point on his FIA license, the 2nd since the start of his young career.

Norris was on his first flying lap in Q1 when he came across a carload of slow cars completing their launching lap at the final sector chicane.  

The first in line was Mazepin, who has attracted criticism and mockery since his promotion to F1. The Russian had been warned of the arrival of the McLaren behind him but he faced a complicated situation with other cars moving at reduced speed in front of him. 

The marshals recognized that the configuration of the sequence of turns 13, 14, and 15 could pose a problem for deviations. However, the stewards felt that Mazepin could have let Norris pass and follow suit. 

They therefore applied the penalty automatically imposed in the event of such an offense. 

Norris regretted the incident after the session, with the Briton arguing that his compromised lap had forced him to fit a new set of tires to get through to Q2, which later penalized him in Q3. The Briton will start on Sunday from 9th place on the grid for the Spanish Grand Prix, although he undoubtedly had the means to do better. 

As for Mazepin, the sanction will be virtually inconsequential because he was already due to start from last place after having experienced another complicated qualifying session.