Esteban Ocon reprimanded for embarrassing Lando Norris

It was one of the highlights of the first free practice session: Esteban Ocon et Lando Norris almost collided at the end of the longest straight on the circuit, which connects turns 16 and 17. At the end of the last DRS zone on the Florida track, the Haas was idling on the trajectory when the McLaren No. 4 was coming at full speed behind him.

The Frenchman attempted to move out, but it was a little too late, which ultimately proved more dangerous than if he had stayed on his line. It was this late move that prompted race control to penalize him.

"The driver of Car 31 (Esteban Ocon) stated that he did not receive adequate warning of the approach of Car 4 (Lando Norris). He was receiving technical instructions via team radio while moving aside to let another car pass, before being warned of Car 4's approach only moments before the incident. The team representative confirmed that the team failed to warn the driver in time," explain the stewards in their decision, before announcing the sanction imposed on Haas, deemed responsible for the incident for not having warned Esteban Ocon in time.

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“The stewards believe that the responsibility for the incident lies primarily with the team, which failed to inform its driver of the car’s arrival. Therefore, a financial penalty is imposed on the team, based on previous similar cases. However, despite the very late warning and the significant speed difference between the two cars, the driver of car 31 contributed to the situation by moving off the racing line extremely late, instead of staying on it, as the interference had already occurred and this late change of line increased the risk of a dangerous accident. A warning is therefore issued to the driver.”

Esteban Ocon received an official warning and Haas was ordered to pay a fine of 7 euros.