Formula 1 Racing

Fines, pain & penalties: When driver racewear

Joey Logano, Team Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang

Over the years, many drivers have struck trouble with their race garments and helmets, or been fined for using the wrong or unapproved type. Starting with Logano, here are five famous instances.

Logano weaves (illegal) webbing on his gloves

Joey Logano, Team Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang

Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

During pre-race inspection at Atlanta Motor Speedway’s NASCAR Cup round, Logano was discovered to have gloves that had been altered, potentially for a competitive advantage.

Black webbing had been added between the left glove’s thumb and index finger, and Logano could be seen placing his left hand against the window netting during his qualifying lap on Saturday.

Some video of Logano’s qualifying lap at Atlanta and discussion of the use of his gloves is included in the Fox Sports clip below.

 

The alterations that had been made meant he was utilising racing gloves that were not SFI certified. As a result, Logano – who had qualified second – had to start Sunday’s race from the rear of the field and had to serve a drive-through penalty on pit road once he took the green flag.

He was later fined $10,000 for contravening NASCAR’s safety code, under ‘Driver Responsibilities & Driver Protective Clothing/Equipment’.

Pants! Di Grassi fined for the wrong underwear

Lucas di Grassi, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler

Lucas di Grassi, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Formula E stalwart Lucas di Grassi was fined for wearing non-compliant fireproof underwear during the Punta del Este ePrix in 2018, in which he finished second to Jean-Eric Vergne.

Di Grassi was summoned to the see stewards after the race and it was determined that “after checking the clothes, helmet and FHR [frontal head restraint, or HANS device] of the drivers it was found that the driver [wore] short flame-resistant underwear pants which are not allowed by the ISC [international sporting code],” according to an FIA bulletin.

The then-reigning champion was fined €10,000 and give three penalty points on his license, but was allowed to keep his first podium finish of the season.

“The driver apologised,” continued the statement. “The Stewards consider that in this case a fine is sufficient. Penalty points [have] to be added because of the incident against safety regulations.”

Di Grassi explained that he wore the non-compliant clothing after running out of dry race-suit underwear in the hot conditions at…

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