Several drivers have received grid penalties following the conclusion of Formula 2 (F2) Qualifying at Monza, with the Stewards investigating multiple incidents from Friday’s session.
Gabriele Minì, Mari Boya, Dino Beganovic, Noel León, Sebastián Montoya, Kush Maini and Nikola Tsolov have all been handed three-place grid penalties for both the Sprint Race and Feature Race at the Italian GP.
Minì penalised for impeding Shields
Minì received a three-place grid penalty after the Stewards found that he unnecessarily impeded Cian Shields during F2 Qualifying in Monza.
The MP Motorsport driver was summoned after allegedly impeding the AIX Racing driver between Turns 9 and 11. After hearing from both drivers and their team representatives, the Stewards determined that Minì had breached Article 31.6 of the FIA Formula 2 Sporting Regulations.
As a result, Minì will drop three places on the grid for both races at Monza.
Boya penalised for driving unnecessarily slowly
Boya also received a three-place grid penalty for both races after the Stewards investigated his driving towards the end of Qualifying.
The Stewards reviewed the available data and spoke to the PREMA Racing driver and a team representative. They found that Boya slowed significantly on the exit of Turn 10 and began warming his tyres.
The Stewards determined that he had dropped to an excessively low speed without a valid sporting or safety reason, with the sole purpose of gaining a sporting advantage. They also found that his actions contributed to a queue of cars travelling at very low speed, which then led to incidents involving multiple cars approaching Turn 11.
Beganovic, León, Montoya and Maini penalised for Turn 11 incident
Beganovic, León, Montoya and Maini also received three-place grid penalties for both races for their part in the incident on the approach to Turn 11.
The Stewards examined the available data and spoke to all four drivers, along with their team representatives. They determined that the drivers failed to follow the Race Director’s Competition Notes on Practice and Qualifying etiquette.
Those notes state that drivers not on a fast lap must make every effort to stay off the racing line. They also state that drivers should not remain side-by-side at any point during Practice or Qualifying.
The Stewards found that the four drivers, while on preparation laps, drove slowly in the middle of the track between Turns 10 and 11. They also remained side-by-side with another car which was not on the racing line.
As a result, DAMS Lucas Oil’s Beganovic, Campos Racing’s León, PREMA Racing’s Montoya and ART Grand Prix’s Maini will each drop three places on the grid for both Monza races.
Tsolov receives penalty for erratic weaving
Championship leader Tsolov also received a three-place grid penalty for both races after the Stewards investigated an incident involving Montoya.
The Campos Racing driver was penalised for weaving in an erratic manner close to Montoya’s Car 11. After reviewing video evidence and speaking to both drivers and a team representative, the Stewards determined that Tsolov had driven erratically while warming his tyres on the racing line and not travelling at racing speed.
The Stewards found that Montoya had to take avoiding action and leave the track as a result. Tsolov will therefore serve a three-place grid penalty in both the F2 Sprint Race and Feature Race at Monza.
