After accusing Bearman of cheating, Montoya was penalized by the FIA ​​for unauthorized track testing.

What if the tide had turned for Sebastián Montoya since this summer? Summoned by the stewards even before the start of the on-track action this week at the Qatar Grand Prix, the young Colombian driver, currently racing for Prema, Formula 2The driver's weekend got off to a bad start. The cause was an unauthorized, or rather, undeclared, test session. Specifically, the driver's management team organized a test session from September 23rd to 24th, using a GB3, at the Snettertone circuit in England. However, neither he nor his manager saw fit to inform the FIA ​​or the F2 promoter.

This condition is mandatory for additional testing outside of official race weekends. As a result, Sebastián Montoya was fined €10,000 by the FIA. His team, Prema, was also not informed by the driver, and therefore held responsible for the infraction.

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Sebastián Montoya does not help his case

As a reminder, at the end of August, Sebastián Montoya distinguished himself by stating that he felt he deserved to join the grid of Formula 1. In view of his results achieved in direct confrontations with current rookies such as Oliver Bearman and Kimi Antonelli, the Colombian claimed that his successes should be able to open the doors to the premier class for him. “To be honest, these past few weeks have proven to me that yes, it’s possible. Especially when I look at this year’s rookies,” was developing the F2 driver with AS Colombia in August. Bortoleto was my teammate, I was faster than him. Antonelli was my teammate, I was much faster than him. Bearman, I raced against him, I was able to beat him… when we had more or less the same engine (laughs). When he wasn't cheating I beat him, when he was cheating, we fought.

Although he did not commit a genuine, formal cheating offense, Sebastián Montoya has nonetheless been caught by the authorities.