Did Russell and Gasly get right penalties for their collisions? · RaceFans

George Russell picked up a penalty for a collision with Sergio Perez which occured within seconds of the Austrian Grand Prix beginning.

Before the race was over another driver, Pierre Gasly, collected the same penalty for a collision which occured at the same corner and appeared very similar.

But were the two outwardly similar incidents alike enough to deserve identical penalties?

What the rules say

Both incidents involved one driver attempting to overtake the other on the outside. At the beginning of the 2022 season F1 drivers were issued the following guidelines on driving standards relating to that type of move as well as others:

“In order for a car being overtaken to be required to give sufficient room to an overtaking car, the overtaking car needs to have a significant portion of the car alongside the car being overtaken and the overtaking manoeuvre must be done in a safe and controlled manner, while enabling the car to clearly remain within the limits of the track.

“When considering what is a ‘significant portion’, for an overtaking on the outside of a corner, among the various factors that will be looked at by the stewards when exercising their discretion, the stewards will consider if the overtaking car is ahead of the other car from the apex of the corner. The car being overtaken must be capable of making the corner while remaining within the limits of the track.”

Incident: Russell and Perez collide on lap one

Perez approached Russell on the outside at turn four. The pair turned in, Perez squeezing Russell towards the apex of the corner. Russell ran over the kerb on the inside, then moved fully onto the track, where he and Perez made contact.

What they said

In the cars

After the crash

I was clearly ahead. It was up to George to really control his car which he clearly couldn’t and we ended up making contact.

There was nothing else I could have done. I gave him enough room. I was already very close to the gravel to make sure he had enough room and for both of us to make the corner.

I think [the guidance to drivers] was clear. For the standards of George, the level, I’m very surprised at that manoeuvre.
Sergio Perez

I’ve looked at the video and I think it was harsh. You are racing at the start, the cars are everywhere. Checo…